82 OUR RESIDENT BIRDS 



COOT (Fulica atra). 



Generally distributed and fairly common wherever 

 there are sheets of open water and sluggish flowing 

 rivers. 



Plumage. Frontal disc white, and always conspicuous 

 (hence Bald Coot) ; upper parts slaty-grey, narrow white 

 bar across wings ; under parts sooty black. Bill flesh- 

 colour. Legs green. Feet green and lobate. Length 

 15 in. Female similar. Young : frontal disc smaller ; 

 throat dingy white, and under parts grey. Nestling 

 covered with black down. 



Language. A loud, shrill cry like " kow," which may 

 be likened to a dog's bark. 



Habits. More thoroughly aquatic than the last, diving 

 a great deal for its food, and by means of its lobate feet 

 able to explore oozy places with ease. Flight fairly 

 powerful, the legs being stretched out behind, Heron-like ; 

 otherwise, much resembling the last, but gregarious. 



Food. Insects, worms, slugs, aquatic weeds and 

 plants. 



Nest. April onwards. Two or three broods. 



Site. Among reeds or rushes, and more or less floating 

 on the water. 



Materials. Reeds and other aquatic plants, lined with 

 finer materials of a similar kind. 



Eggs. Seven to ten, or more. Pale buff or stone- 

 colour, speckled and dotted with dark brown and some 

 grey under-markings. 



MUTE SWAN (Cygnus olor). 



Common on some of our rivers, lakes, and sheets of 

 water in a more or less domesticated state. 



Observation. Distinct from other Swans on account 

 of black tubercle or " berry" at base of bill. 



Plumage. White. Bill reddish orange ; nail and 



