24 
plished, becomes extremely docile, and is very fond 
of being caressed by those to whom it shows 
attachment. Its shrill notes and mischievous quali- 
ties, however, render it sometimes a troublesome 
inmate. 
It often becomes bold and pugnacious, is ex- 
tremely sensitive to what it deems insult, and 
resents an affront with violence. The Chough 
buildsits nest on high cliffs, old castles, and church 
towers near the sea shore. ‘The nest is composed 
externally of sticks, and the interior is lined with 
a quantity of wool and hair. The female lays three 
or four eges of a bluish white hue, spotted with 
yellow. 
COO TT COJEMON 
Baup Coot. 
Funica atRra, Lin. 
This bird is similar in its general appearance to 
the Water-hen, from which however it differs in a 
very material degree in the formation of its feet, 
the membranes of the toes being furnished with 
lobes or scollops, the middle one with three and 
the outer one with four. It has also on the fore- 
head a pure white fleshy substance, from which it 
takes its name of the Bald Coot. These birds are 
met with in England throughout the year, bemg 
found upon ponds, lakes, and still rivers. They 
