COOT. 205 



is never seen except as a straggler in winter. It is 

 more common in the southern parts of the county than 

 elsewhere, and near Croston and Rufford is very 

 plentiful, numbers being visible to travellers between 

 Preston and Burscough Junctions, on the pools by the 

 side of the railway. It breeds at Knowsley, in Claugh- 

 ton, Wrightington, and Woodfold Parks, and before the 

 drainage of Martin Mere was completed, Mr. R. J. 

 Howard says it nested there in hundreds. It is found 

 at Marton Mere, near Poulton-le-Fylde, in some num- 

 bers, and Dr. St. Clair writes me that on May 17th, 



1879, he saw several nests there with eggs. In Furness 

 also it breeds, and Mr. W. A. Durnford says {Zool.y 



1880, p. 241) that in the hard winter of 1879, it was 

 the most numerous of the wildfowl on Windermere. 

 [It breeds plentifully on Esthwaite Water. — E. J. H.] 

 The Coot lays about seven eggs some time in May, 

 and incubation begins before the whole are deposited. 



