LOBIPEDID^. 63 



Moorhen. The Coot resides with us all the year, 

 breeding in retired nooks and corners, where it is 

 not likely to be disturbed. This species breeds every 

 season among the long reeds and water-plants which 

 grow by the side of the ornamental water in Ditton 

 Park ; along the banks of the Thames it is occasion- 

 ally observed, but being such an exceedingly wary 

 bird it conceals itself upon the least alarm, and so 

 is seldom seen. That well-known sportsman Colonel 

 Hawker observes — * If a gentleman wishes to have 

 plenty of wild-fowl on his pond, let him preserve 

 the Coots, and keep no tame Swans. The reason 

 that all wild-fowl seek the company of Coots, is 

 because these birds are such good sentries to give 

 the alarm by day, when the fowl generally sleep.' 



The Coot is a capital diver, and flies well : and has 

 even been observed to climb trees with expertness. 



'^H' 



