THE COOT 



Fulica atra 



General plumage a dark grey, almost sooty, but which in 

 the sunlight shows a delicate, almost lilac sheen ; head black ; 

 and the neck graduates from black into the general grey of 

 body ; beak, white with a tinge of warm colour in it ; the 

 frontal shield is pure ivory white ; legs, greenish-grey ; eyes, 

 reddish-brown. Length, 16 inches. 



This is a common bird, and though nearly all 

 migrate, I believe a few remain to breed in 

 exceptionally favourable places, as I have heard 

 that it has been observed throughout the summer 

 months on certain waters. 



It is the same bird we get in Britain, and 

 behaves in identically the same way. On pre- 

 served waters, as for instance the Sacred Lake at 

 Karnak, where every one may see it, it is, as it is 

 at home, very tame, and rarely takes wing more 

 than from one side to the other of the lake, and 

 if you move quietly, or remain sitting for any 

 length of time, they allow of a very near approach, 

 and come swimming quite close up. Sometimes 

 I have had them walk on to the bank within a few 

 yards of me and start to preen their feathers. If 

 at such a time the sun is shining brightly on them, 



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