FULICA ATRA 273 



Immature birds are much duller and paler in plumage than the adult 

 bird, and have the chin whitish. 



The Coot, or Bald Coot, as this bird is often called, on account of 

 its white frontal-shield, is very abundant in winter and during the 

 periods of passage in all suitable localities in North Tunisia, and is 

 also to be found in some parts of the south of the Regency. 



According to Blanc the species nests in certain numbers near Porto 

 Farina and other localities in North Tunisia. Vast flocks of Coots 

 may be seen throughout the winter months on the lakes of Tunis and 

 Bizerta. 



In Algeria it is plentiful in winter and on migration, and is also 

 resident, according to Loche. It is abundant too in Marocco, and 

 Favier states that it nests near Tangier. 



It is very generally distributed throughout Europe, Asia, and 

 North Africa, and occurs in winter on the Atlantic Islands. In South 

 Spain and Marocco it meets the Crested Coot {F. cristata), by which 

 species it is replaced throughout the greater part of the African 

 Continent. 



In its habits the Coot is essentially migratory and gregarious, and 

 in winter and during the periods of passage, it is to be found in 

 enormous flocks. In some parts of the Mediterranean Coots con- 

 gregate together in such vast numbers that " battues " on a large 

 scale are organised for the purpose of sport, combined with a certain 

 profit. The tactics usually adopted on these occasions are for a 

 number of small boats, each with one or two gunners, to advance in 

 line on the piece of water where the Coots are massed together and 

 force them to rise; the birds do not like to leave a favourite spot, 

 and as they fly back over the boats, afford some "pretty" shooting. 

 In many parts of the Italian Peninsula, and in Sicily, this is a 

 very favourite form of sport, and goes by the name of " la tela 

 alle folaghe." 



The Coot may often be found associating with other species of 

 water-fowl, and numbers are killed unintentionally by Duck-shooters. 



It frequents open lakes and lagoons, of both fresh and salt 

 water, though it resorts to more sheltered and secluded localities 

 for the breeding-season. In its wild state it is shy and wary, but 

 in captivity it becomes very tame and sociable. It is an e.xpert 

 swimmer and diver, and walks and runs fairly well on land. When 



18 VOL. II. 



