606 THE RAILS 



In autumn and winter flocks of considerable size are formed on the 

 larger sheets of water. To what extent these are made up of new 

 arrivals is not clear. There is no evidence that coots immigrate from 

 abroad, but there appears to be a certain amount of migratory move- 

 ment within the British Isles, independent of weather conditions. Of 

 these little is known. What may be regarded as certain is that in 

 severe winter weather there is a considerable movement to tidal 

 waters, especially those of estuaries, 1 so that in some parts the species 

 is seen only as a winter visitor. But even when the inland waters 

 are completely frozen over, the coot does not always seek the coast. 

 Mr. T. A. Coward notes that in 1886, when Rostherne Mere was 

 completely frozen, the coot still remained, and when disturbed by the 

 skaters rose and whirled in compact flocks overhead. Again, when 

 the mere at Tatton was frozen, he saw coot feeding in large numbers 

 on the grass. 2 If in large numbers, they can keep open quite an acre 

 or two of water called " Wakes " in Norfolk even when the ice is 

 strong enough to hold skaters. 3 If then shot at they depart. 



These large flocks of coot are in some places regularly reduced in 

 winter by organised shoots, in which everybody in possession of a gun, 

 or what may pass for such, takes part. When driven towards and 

 hemmed in at one end of the lake or broad, the coots rise and pass in 

 a swarm over the half-circle of boats to the other end, being shot 

 at in passing. The same occurs when they are followed and again 

 hemmed in, except that they fly over faster and higher. Only on 

 windy days will they fly right away to some other place, to return at 

 dusk. 3 On one occasion 1700 were killed at Slapton Ley in Devon- 

 shire. 4 The spoil is divided and cooked, and, if rightly treated, 

 is said to make good eating. 



On ordinary occasions, when alarmed by the approach of human 



1 Nelson, Birds of Yorks., ii. 546 ; Ussher and Warren, Birds of Ireland, p. 244 ; Forrest, Fauna 

 of Wales, p. 322 ; Matthew and D'Urban, Birds of Devon, p. 286, etc. See also " Classified Notes." 



2 Fauna of Cheshire, i. 373. 



3 J. Vincent, in litt. 



* D'Urban and Matthew, Birds of Devonshire, p. 286. 



