40 



COOT. 



COMMON COOT. BALD COOT. 

 PLATE CLXXXI. FIG. II. 



Fulica atra, . . . Pennant. Montagu. 

 Fulica aterrima, . ■ . . LiNN^us. 



The nest of this bird, not unfrequently deferred to 

 be made until May, is a large structure, and, though 

 of rough workmanship, very strong in its composition, 

 so as to keep the eggs dry, albeit in such close prox- 

 imity to water. It is built by the edges of islands in, 

 or the borders of lakes, ponds, and rivers, and is generally 

 placed among, and loosely attached to flags, and reeds; 

 sometimes on a tuft of rushes, and composed of the 

 former plants: the finer portions are placed inwards. 

 Since writing the above, I have observed one placed 

 on the water, as indeed they not unfrequently are, 

 and confined only in its place by the reeds springing 

 up around it. It was three or four yards from the 

 edge of a small pond, adjoining the high-road between 

 High Catton and Stamford Bridge. The old bird moved 

 a little way from it as I stopped, but did not appear 

 shy, as she doubtless would at another time. 



The eggs are from six or seven, to ten or even 

 fourteen in number, of a light dull yellowish or green- 

 ish pale brown, or stone-colour, spotted with small 

 rust-coloured spots. If the first hatch be taken or 

 destroyed, a second is produced, but in less numbers. 



