88 THE GAME BIEDS AND WILD FOWL 



Allied forms. Fulica cristata, an inhabitant of the whole of Africa 

 and the south of the Spanish Peninsula. Differs from the Common Coot in 

 having no white on the wing, and two crimson caruncles on the frontal shield. 

 F. americana, an inhabitant of North America. Differs from the Common Coot 

 in having a large amount of white on the under tail coverts. F. australis, 

 an inhabitant of Australia and Tasmania. Distinguished by the absence of white 

 tips to the outer secondaries and by the smooth frontal shield. 



Habits. In many of its habits the Coot somewhat closely resembles the 

 Water Hen, although it is much more partial to salt water, and rarely frequents 

 such small streams and pools as so often content that species. It shows a decided 

 preference for broad open waters and the slow running reaches of the larger 

 rivers. Like its ally, the Water Hen, it lives in many places in a semi- 

 domesticated condition, and is then nothing near so wary as in a wilder state. 

 It is then one of the wariest of birds, and by its excessive watchfulness repeatedly 

 gives the alarm to other wild fowl. As it feeds principally in the daytime, it 

 is on the alert when such species as Geese and Ducks are sleeping ; consequently 

 these birds often seek the company of the Coot during the day, as if conscious 

 that they could rest in safety in its vicinity. Although the Coot is graceful 

 enough on land, and can perch in trees with ease, even roosting in them 

 at night, it is far more at home in the water. It swims well, and dives with 

 wonderful skill, disappearing below the surface almost with the rapidity of 

 thought. In swimming it has the same bobbing motion of the head as the 

 Water Hen, and, like that bird, frequently dives and progresses under water to a 

 safe retreat when menaced by danger. Although it is flushed with difficulty, it 

 flies well and quickly, yet in an apparently somewhat laboured manner. Just as 

 it rises, the legs are allowed to hang down as if broken, but if the flight be 

 at all protracted they are drawn up and stretched out behind. At night it 

 frequently rises into the air and flies round and round above its haunts, uttering 

 its loud note at intervals. This note is a clear, far-sounding ko. At all seasons 

 the Coot is a remarkably sociable bird, and in autumn and winter frequently 

 gathers into enormous flocks. These congregations of Coots are by far the largest 

 on salt water, and then consist of many birds that have been driven from inland 

 waters by long-continued frosts. It is said that great numbers of Coots also visit 

 our islands from more northern and eastern lands, and swell the ranks of the 

 flocks gathered on our low-lying coasts, taking their departure in March ; 

 although it is worthy of remark that the bird is very rarely observed at Heligo- 

 land, and Gatke did not know of more than eight examples during the whole 

 course of his wonderful experience. Coots afford considerable sport, and vast 

 numbers are occasionally shot during some grand battue. I have known cart- 

 loads of Coots shot in such a manner on the renowned Slapton Ley, in South 

 Devonshire one of the greatest haunts of this species in our islands. The food 



