114 INDIAN SPOUTING BIEDS 



under-tail feathers, contrasting with its dark plumage, are quite 

 as distinctive of it here as in Europe. Yearling birds, however, 

 are lighter in colour and have no red on the head, though they 

 show the white stern. The Bengali name is Dakali-paira, and 

 the Telugu Jumhu- or Boli-kodi. 



Moorhens breed in India, making a large nest among aquatic 

 herbage ; the eggs are spotted with chestnut and mauve on a 

 greyish-buff ground, and as many as nine may be laid. The food 

 bill of this bird is as extensive as that of the common hen, 

 insects, worms, herbages, and grain, all being consumed. It is 

 not often eaten, but goes well enough if the rank and greasy 

 skin is removed. The note is very characteristic, a harsh kur- 

 rek ; the flight heavy and low by day as a rule, though at night 

 the bird travels long distances. 



Coot. 



Fulica atra. Dasari, Hindustani. 



The moorhen is nearly as aquatic as the ordinary ducks, and 

 the coot, which is abundant in India and Burma, though absent 

 from Ceylon, bears the same relation to it as the diving ducks do 

 to these, keeping almost constantly afloat and getting much of 

 its food below water ; it dives with a spring like the whistling 

 ducks, and especially searches for water snails ; it also feeds on 

 weeds, and I have seen one capture a small fish, not by diving, 

 but by suddenly ducking its head under. Grain is also readily 

 devoured if obtainable. Coots are in fact constantly seen in 

 association with ducks in India, and may easily be, and no 

 doubt often are, mistaken for them ; but the entirely black 

 plumage, and white bill and forehead-patch are very distinct 

 differences from any duck, and even when these points are not 

 noticeable, the rounded back and small head carried well forward 

 distinguish these swimming rails from the duck family. Coots 

 also rise less readily than most ducks, and though often exceed- 

 ingly numerous, get up individually and not in flocks. They 

 are often so mixed up with the ducks they associate with that 

 many may be killed by accident ; few people would make them 

 a special object of pursuit, as they are not birds to eat when 



