COOT. GRALLATORES. FULICA. 193 



distinct lobes, which correspond with the phalanges, or joints 

 of the toes. This formation gives them more power in the 

 water, and we accordingly find them more conversant with 

 that element than the preceding genera. In other respects 

 there is great similarity of manners, and their narrow form 

 and general appearance denote their near alliance to the 

 typical Rallidce. By former systematists, the Coots, toge- 

 ther with the Phalaropes and Grebes, were made a distinct 

 order, styled Pinnatipedes ; an arrangement purely artificial, 

 as the members of which it was composed were not united 

 together by affinity, but only bore, in the form of their feet, 

 a distant analogy to each other ; for even here a considerable 

 difference existed in structure, as will be evident to any one 

 who compares the foot of the Coot with that of the Grebe. 



The members of this genus inhabit lakes and ponds, as 

 well as the more retired and calmer parts of inland seas. 

 They live chiefly on the water, where they swim and dive 

 with equal facility, and are but rarely seen on the land. 

 They feed on worms, insects, aquatic vegetables, and seeds. 

 The species are few, and their plumage is dark, and com- 

 monly without variety of colour. They breed amongst the 

 close and tali herbage of the waters they inhabit, and lay 

 several eggs. Their flesh is palatable. 



COMMON COOT. 



FULICA ATRA, Linn. 

 PLATE XXXTI. 



Fulica atra, Linn. Syst. 1. 257 Lath. Ind. Ornith. 2. 777. sp. 1. variety 



Gmel Syst. 1. 702. Briss. Ornith. 6. 23. t. 2. f. 2. Rail Syn. 116. A. 

 Steph. Shaw's Zool. 12. 234. pi. 29 Flem. Br. Anim. 1. 100. sp. 132. 



Fulica aterrima, Linn. Syst. 1. 258. 8 Gmel. Syst. 1. 703 Lath. Ind. 



Ornith. 2. 778. sp. 2. 



Fulica major, Briss. Ornith. 5. 28. 2. t. 2. f. 2.Raii Syn. 117. 2 Will. 



p. 239. t. 51. 



Le Foulque ou Morelle, Buff. Ois. 8. 211. t. 18. Id. PI. Enl. 197. 

 Reg. Anim. 1. 503. 



Le Grand Foulque ou la Macroule, Buff. Ois. 8. 220. 



VOL. II. N 



