fp 



THE COOT. 



FttHca atra. 



^:'i HIS interestinir bird fo 



^ rms a 



eoiineeting Jink between the 

 wading and web-footed tribes, 

 and is distinguishable from 

 every other species by the peeu- 

 Har formation of the membranes 

 of tlie toes, which, instead of 

 being connected, are composed 

 of flat scalloped-shaped lobes, 

 the inner toe having two, the 

 middle tliree, and the outer 

 four. The hinder toe has no 

 lobes, but a single continuous 

 membrane extending its whole 

 length. Another remarkable 

 characteristic is the smooth 

 naked patch on the forehead, 

 which is quite white, and gives 

 tlie bird a strange and con- 

 spicuous appearance. ^* As bald 

 as a Coot ^' is a form of expres- 

 sion which has been proverbial 

 almost from time immemorial, 

 and the bird is quite as com- 



