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128 A VISiT TO. POCHARD ISLAND — 
I do not know if these coot remained in 
these waters the whole winter. Many are 
constant residents in this country, but some 
migrate.” In: flight they keep them tess 
stretched out behind, as does the moorhen 
and also the heron. Migration, as in the 
case of most birds, is effected at night time. 
Coot, when rising on the wing, seem to have 
some difficulty in doing so, as they make a 
splash in the water with their feet Their 
food is chiefly small fish and water insects 
and the buds and leaves of aquatic plants. 
Close to. the: nest. we noticed a-patelieo: 
rushes pressed down into a round shape. 
This might have been the spot first chosen 
for the nest, as they often build on land close 
towater. But they were wise in this instance, 
because of the carrion crows’ home being so 
near, to decide on a floating” nest 4 Bae 
taking of the photograph was difficult, as I 
had to do it from the boat, 7 which I reared 
1 Non- area. tne ee no power of rising off the 
water and will drown if they have fallen into an enclosed 
place. 
