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COMMON COOT. 565 
Madeira on migration, and winters in great numbers in North Africa, 
ranging at that season as far south as Senegambia in the west, and the 
Blue Nile in the east. In Southern Spain and in Africa it meets with, 
and is partially replaced by, a nearly allied species, the Crested Coot (Fulica 
cristata), which differs in having no white on the wing, and in having the 
frontal shield terminating in two crimson appendages. The American 
Coot (F. americana) is very nearly allied to the Common Coot, but differs in 
having a considerable amount of white on the under tail-coverts. 
The Common Coot is more frequently found on open water than the 
Moorhen, especially preferring broads, large lakes, fish-ponds, and quiet 
slow-running rivers. It is also seen, but in smaller numbers, on the 
mountain-lochs and tarns; and is especially common in winter on low- 
lying coasts where there are extensive mud-flats and quiet creeks, which 
are almost without water at low tide. It is very partial to broad open 
ditches, especially if there are beds of reeds and flags in them. It does 
not seem to require or prefer such rank vegetation as the Waterhen, but 
the banks of the water on which it lives must be weed- and rush-grown, or 
covered with tall grass and brambles. On many sheets of ornamental 
water the Coot lives in a semi-domesticated state, and will allow an observer 
to approach it quite closely ; otherwise it is an exceedingly wary bird, ever 
on the alert for danger, and giving the alarm to the other Water-fowl with 
which it often congregates. Asit feeds in the daytime, it too often prevents 
the gunner approaching the flocks of Geese and Ducks, that otherwise 
might allow him to come within range, by at once giving the alarm. 
The Coot is most at home in the water. It swims and dives with the 
greatest ease, and may often be seen quietly sitting on the surface of a 
pool, remaining in one spot for a considerable time. It soon gets accus- 
tomed to noises, and frequently allows the passing train to go by without 
showing the least alarm. It approaches with the greatest unconcern the 
splashing water-wheels, seeming to know that it is safe from harm. It 
swims with the same peculiar motion of the head and tail as the Water- 
hen, venturing sometimes far out from shore, but more frequently keeps 
close to the margin of the water. When alarmed it very often imstantly 
dives, and will go for a long distance under water to a place of safety. It 
takes wing with the greatest reluctance, and usually flies in a very 
clumsy manner just above the water, its feet, which are hung downwards, 
every now and then touching the surface. It is, however, capable of 
performing extended flights, and when once well on the wing progresses 
. with great rapidity. It often flies about at night round and round above 
its watery haunts, every now and then uttering its peculiar note, lke 
the Waterhen. Although the feet of the Coot seem so ill-adapted for 
progress on the land, it is by no means an ungraceful bird, as it walks 
. leisurely about the lawn or on the bare banks of the broads and lakes. It 
