340 



THE COMMON COOT 



Fulica atra, LINNEAS. 

 PLATE XXXIII. 



Fulica atra, Linn., $c Foulque macroule, Temm. Greater 

 Coot, Penn. Coot or Bald Coot of modern British authors. 



THE Common Coot appears to be a constant resi- 

 dent in many parts of south and middle England, 

 in some localities making partial migrations to the 

 coast. To the northward, and in Scotland, it can 

 scarcely be considered more than a summer visitant, 

 arriving early in the spring to breed. In Southern 

 England, where the rivers are broader and more 

 lake-like, it is found in them as well as in broad 

 expanses of water ; but in Scotland it may be con- 

 sidered as confined to the lochs, and to those dis- 

 tricts where the country has no alpine character. 

 We have never traced it among the wilder Highland 

 waters, though Dr. Neil and Mr. Dann have remark- 

 ed it in the Orkneys. In the south of Scotland, they 

 arrive in their breeding stations early in spring, and 

 a straggling few only remain during mild winters. 

 Before they have dispersed in pairs, or after having 

 joined when incubation has been finished, they may 



