424 THE LIFE OF A BIRD. 



struggles only rendering the extrication of the 

 claws the less easy death the more painful and 



certain. In extreme contrast with this fearful 

 instrument is the singularly formed foot of the 

 common coot. This foot appears as if it belonged 

 to a bird which had sometimes to walk, and some- 

 times to swim, and both equally well. The coot 

 has often to perform both these actions, and 



