716 BIRDS OF INDIA. 



The Coot is common in most parts of India, rare or wanting 

 in some localities which seem perfectly adapted for it. It is found 

 throughout Europe, Asia, and Northern Africa. It prefers 

 weedy tanks, is found in considerable flocks, and is often seen in 

 the middle of the day resting on the water in the middle of some 

 large tank, far away from any weeds or cover. When first 

 raised it appears to fly with difficulty, striking the surface of 

 the water for many yards, but when fairly on the wing, it can fly 

 tolerably well. It sometimes travels great distances, for it is often 

 found on tanks that dry up during the hot weather. It dives well. 



The Coot feeds chiefly on vegetable matter, seeds, and shoots of 

 aquatic plants. It is a noisy bird at times, having a peculiar call. 

 It makes a large nest, occasionally fixed, at other times of floating 

 weeds, and lays six to eight eggs, of sjjone or reddish-grey color, 

 with small red and dark brown speckles. Burgess states that 

 some young birds he procured had brii^ht orange hair-like feathers 

 over part of their bodies. 



Several species of Coots are recorded from all parts of the 

 world. One, Fidica cristata, is furnished with a fleshy crest, and 

 has been separated as Lupha, Reichenbach. 



Gen. Galliceex, Blyth. 



Char. — Bill much as in Gallinula, but with the base (in the male) 

 prolonged over the forehead, and rising into a fleshy caruncle or 

 horn on the top of the head, which is only developed at the time of 

 breeding; feet large ; hind toe with the claw short, more curved 

 than the others ; otherwise as in Gallinula. Males larger than the 

 females. 



This is merely a large form of Gallinula, with a fleshy crest 

 developed at the breeding season in the male, which moreover, 

 unlike the Water-hens, is larger than the female. It appears to bear 

 the same relation to Gallinula that Fulica cristata does to the 

 common Coot. 



904. Gallicrex cristatus, Latham. 



Gallinula, apud Latham — Blyth, Cat. 1660— Rallus rufes- 

 cens, apud Jerdon, Gat. 331 — G. lugubris, and G. gularis, Hoks- 

 FIKLD, (male and female) — Kora or Kliora, H. also A'on^ra of some. 



