The Common Coot 



THIS bird may not inaptly be described 

 as an enlarged edition of the moorhen. 

 Quite apart, however, from this difference in 

 size it can be readily distinguished by the 

 fact that the bare patch or shield on its 

 forehead is pure white, whereas that on 

 the forehead of its relative is red. We fre- 

 quently hear this species referred to as the 

 "Bald-headed Coot" in consequence of the 

 above-mentioned peculiarity. 



The Common Coot frequents lakes, meres, 

 reservoirs, and sluggish rivers, and does not 

 take up its abode, as a rule, upon such small 

 ponds and streams as the moorhen. 



It is found breeding in nearly all suit- 

 able places throughout the British Islands, 

 migrating during the winter from its frozen 

 haunts to such places as Poole Harbour 

 and Hickling Broad. 



Its food consists of worms, slugs, water 

 insects, and different kinds of vegetation. 



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