470 



RALLID^E. 



Coot resorts to ponds and lakes only during summer. It 

 then builds its nest, a large substantial structure, composed 

 of various dry aquatics, among rushes and reeds, in shallow 

 water, sometimes laying the foundation among the roots of 

 the plants intended to shelter it, at other times taking for 

 a foundation the reeds which lie prostrate on the water. 

 In the midst of this mass, as in a burrow, the female lays 

 from six to ten eggs. At this season Coots do not associate 



THE COMMON COOT. 



either with birds of the same or of a different species. Their 

 food consists of various kinds of animal and vegetable sub- 

 stances, among which fish-spawn, when attainable, is said 

 to predominate, which gives their flesh a strong, un- 

 pleasant flavour. Towards winter, Coots leave inland 

 waters, and resort to estuaries and other salt-water inlets, 

 where they congregate sometimes in numerous flocks or 

 " coverts ;" and their flesh being at this season less un- 



