THE CuOT. 127 



THE CINEREOUS COOT. {Fidica Americana.) 



This species majjes its appearance in Pennsylvania abonl 

 ihe first of October. Among the muddy flats and islands 

 of the river Delaware, which are periodically overflowed, 

 and which are overgrown with the reed, or wild oats, and 

 rushes, the Coots are found. They are not numerous, and 

 are seldom seen, except their places of resort be covered 

 with water ; in that case they are generally found sitting on 

 the fallen reed, waiting for the ebbing of the tide, which 

 will enable them to feed. Their food consists of various 

 aquatic plants, seeds, insects, and, it is said, small fish. 



The Coot has an aversion to take wing, and can seldom 

 be sprung in its retreat at low water ; for, although it walks 

 rather awkwardly, yet it contrives to skulk through the 

 grass and reeds with great speed, the compressed form of 

 its body, like that of the rail genus, being well adapted to 

 the purpose. It swims remarkably woll, and, when wounded, 

 will dive like a duck. When closely pursued in the water, 

 it generally takes to the shore, rising with apparent reluo- 

 tance, like a wounded duck, and fluttering along the surface, 

 with its feet pattenng on the water. It is known in Penn- 

 uylvania by the name of the Mud-Hen. 



I have never yet discovered that this species breeds with 

 us (says Wilson), though it is highly probable that some 

 fow may occupy the marshes of the interior, in the vicinity 

 af the ponds and lakes, I t this purpose ; those retired litu 



