458 THE AMERICAN COOT. 
Coots breed in suitable localities throughout the state, and are partially 
resident southerly, but the majority of those seen in spring pass farther north 
to nest. If left absolutely undisturbed they would become almost as familiar 
as chickens, and the observer might be delighted with glimpses of happy fam- 
ilies at play among the reeds; but as it is, the fluffy chicks are taught to fear 
the sight of man above all plagues. 
Nests are constructed of broken-down reeds built up into a platform, 
which lifts the eggs from three inches to a foot clear of the water. They 
Taken on the Licking Reservoir. Photo by the Author. 
A HAUNT OF THE COOT. 
are usually placed in the lakeward edge of the cat-tail patch, or else lodged 
in the outlying clumps and along bayous. Floating nests are sometimes con- 
structed which differ from Grebes’ only in their more firm anchorage and 
freedom from moisture above. 
