THE RAILS AND CRAKES. 



259 



Coot. 



The Coot, a fairly common pond-bird, may be easily dis- 

 tinguished by the bald white patch on its forehead. Its 

 habits are much those of the last, as it dives 

 when shot at, reappearing several yards away. 

 The feet of the coot have a remarkable lobed membrane 

 along each toe, which may partly assist the bird in its 

 rapid progress over the water-lilies. Each toe has a free 

 flap. To appreciate this palmated foot, as also the slighter 

 membrane of the moorhen, it is absolutely necessary to 

 examine the bird alive if possible, or at any rate im- 



mediately after its death. The museum specimen, no 

 matter how skilful the taxidermist through whose hands 

 it has passed, gives a very inadequate idea of its func- 

 tions. The coot is a sociable, not over-timid bird. Like 

 the last, it is rarely seen off the water, even roosting on 

 its surface. It feeds on water weeds, snails, insects, and 

 seeds, and perhaps a few small fish. The nest, placed 

 among the reeds, is very large for the size of the bird, being 

 a compact structure of flags and reeds. Ecjgs^ 6 to 10, 

 2 inches; greyish, speckled with very dark brown. 



