134 FAMILIAR WILD BIRDS. 



monly known by the name of '' The Bald Coot " as by any 

 other appellation. 



This bird is found in almost all parts of the continents 

 of Europe, Asia, and Africa. In our own country it is 

 most frequently met with in iforkshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, 

 Kent, Essex, Dorset, Hants, and Cornwall. It is a sum- 

 mer visitor in Scotland, and is a constant resident m 

 Ireland. 



The Coot is partly a migratory bird ; many visit our 

 country during the winter montlis, and these usually seek the 

 warmer climate of the southern parts. The spring mi- 

 gration is commenced in March and the autumn one in 

 October, the journeys being performed at night. The 

 flight of the Coot during migration is irregular, and when 

 the weather is changeable, its cry, which resembles a harsh 

 *Mvrew/^ may be very easily distinguished. 



Although the Coot is properly at home on the water, it 

 moves about with considerable activity upon terra firma^ 

 and will ascend a tree with a celerity scarcely to be expected 

 in a bird of such decided aquatic habits. It walks steadily, 

 and swims and dives with ease and grace ; after diving, it 

 usually reappears at some considerable distance from the 

 place of its first submersion. In flying, the Coot is strong, 

 and for some short space after leaving the water it makes 

 a noisy splashing with its feet on the surface; when fairly 

 on the wing, its flight is not dissimilar to that of the Heron, 

 the legs being stretched straight out behind it. The claws, 

 which are strong, are sharply hooked, and when attacked at 

 close quarters, the Coot has the character of making very 

 free use of them for purposes of self-defence. 



The nest is large and inelegant in appearance; it is 

 usually built amongst reeds and rushes, and made of flags 



