FOR CAGES AND AVIARIES. 29 



no doubt they were the produce of two hens nesting 

 together. 



The Coot feeds on grass when other food is scarce, but 

 its usual diet consists of small fish, aquatic insects and 

 various kinds of water plants. They swim and dive well 

 although the feet are only semi-palmated, or webbed. 



THE CORMORANT. 



Somewhat smaller than the Gannet and of a jet black 

 colour with metallic reflections on the breast; the back 

 and wings have a brownish shade and the neck is grey; 

 a patch of white indicates the insertion of the thighs ; the 

 bill is yellowish greenish-grey and there is a bare space 

 round the lower mandible; the eye is yellowish-green. 



The eggs, which are small for the size of the bird, 

 are pale bluish-green, two in number, as a rule, and are 

 deposited in a nest of large size generally made on a 

 rock. The parents take the bill of the young into their 

 own crop, after the manner of Pigeons and Parrots. 



This bird has on several occasions nested and reared 

 its young in the London Zoological Gardens. 



THE CORN BUNTING. See under Buntings. 



THE CORN CRAKE. See Landrail {tinder Rails). 



THE CRESTED TIT. See under Tits. 



