THE AMERICAN COOT. 



615 



hour later preening tlieir featliers on a gravelly shoal and discussing, doubt- 

 less, their thrilling experience. 



Every one is familiar with the shufiling manner in which a Coot rises 

 from the water, floundering and kicking to get up steam ; then lumbering off 

 at a low height only to splash down again at what it supposes a safe distance. 

 Under the spell of persecution the birds learn to get up more nimbi}-, and 



Taken in Donglas County. 



.\ H.XTFUL OF SPECKLED EGGS. 



Plioto by the Autlicir. 



once under way prove to be not ungraceful flyers. In flight they carry their 

 legs at full length behind them, and seem to use them cjuite cleverly as a rud- 

 der, to supply the deficiencies of the abbreviated tail. 



Youthful slayers of "mud-hens" there will always be, but it is fortunate 

 that the creatures have not yet been taken seriously as game birds hereabouts, 

 as they have East and South, where the legitimate objects of the chase are 



