221. Fulica americana 
AMERICAN COOT. 15 inches 
Adult. Above, slate gray; head blaekish; wing edged with 
white. Below, light gray ; short tail held erect, white underneath; 
bill whitish ; feet greenish. Immature. Similar but lighter below. 
Dives like a duck and might be mistaken for a small one, but bobs 
its head when it swims. Found in marshes and slow running 
streams. Also called Wud Hen. 
Note. “A harsh grunting or grating.” 
Nest. On the ground, near water. 
Breeds. North of New England. A migrant in April, September 
and October, rare in spring. 
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