82 JUNGLE FOLK 



acquired black plumage, but this ill-luck is out- 

 weighed by its good-luck in possessing some favourable 

 characters. 



The first of these favourable attributes is a good 

 constitution. Thanks to this the coot is able to thrive 

 in every kind of climate : in foggy, damp England ; 

 in the hot, steamy swamps of Sind, and in cold Kash- 

 mir. In this respect it enjoys a considerable advantage 

 over the ducks, inasmuch as it is not exposed to the 

 dangers and tribulations of the long migratory flight. 



Another valuable asset of the coot is a good digestion. 

 Creatures which can live on a mixed diet usually do 

 well in the struggle for existence. Then, the coot is a 

 proHfic bird. It brings up several broods in the year, 

 and its clutch of eggs is a large one. The nest is usually 

 well concealed among reeds and floats on the surface 

 of the water, so is difficult of access to both birds and 

 beasts of prey. Moreover, the mother coot carefully 

 covers up the eggs when she leaves the nest. Another 

 useful characteristic of the coot is its wariness. Many 

 water-fowl go to sleep in the daytime, but the coot 

 appears to be always watchful. This perhaps explains 

 its popularity with ducks and other water birds, 

 although I should be incUned to attribute it to the 

 extreme amiability of the coot. Nothing seems to 

 ruffle him, except the approach of a strange male bird 

 to the nest. Whatever be the reason therefor, the 

 general popularity of the coot among his fellow-water- 

 fowl is so well established that in England many 

 sportsmen encourage coot on to their waters in order 

 to attract other water-fowl. Thus, a strong con- 



