194 GRALLATORES. FULICA. COOT. 



Foulque Macroule, Temm. Man. d'Ornith. 2. 706. 



Schwartzes Wasserhuhn, Bechst. Naturg. Deut. 4. 511. 



Greater Coot, Penn. Br. Zool. 2. No. 221. Lath. Syn. 5. 277. 2 Will 



(Angl.) 320 Mont. Ornith. Diet. 1. Bewick's Br. Birds, 2. 137. 



Common Coot, Penn. Br. Zool. 2. 494. No. 220. pi. 77. Arct. Zool. 2. No. 



416. Albinos Br. Birds, 1. pi. 83 Lath. Syn. 5. 271 Id, Sup. p. 259. 



JFi& (Angl.) 319. t. 59 Lewin's Br. Birds, 5. t. 198 Pult. Cat. Dor- 

 set. Mont. Ornith. Diet, and Sup Bewick's Br. Birds, 2. 133 Shaw's 



Zool. 12. 234. pi. 29. 



PROVINCIAL Bald Coot, Bel-poot. 



DURING the summer, the Coot is very generally dispersed 

 throughout this kingdom, as there is scarcely a large piece 

 of water (provided it is partially covered with reeds, or other 

 tall aquatic plants), to be found without a colony of these 

 birds. MONTAGU states them to be permanent residents in 

 the southern parts of England, and as never forsaking their 

 breeding places, even though these may be smaller ponds ; 

 but, at the same time, he hints the probability that the vast 

 flocks which are seen in the Southampton River, and other 

 salt-water inlets, in winter, are bred farther to the north- 

 ward, and resort to these places only as visitants at that 

 period. Of the correctness of this supposition I entertain no 

 doubt, as a long course of observation has shewn that the 

 Coots in the north of England and in Scotland regularly 

 quit their breeding stations in autumn ; and that, after the 

 month of October, not an individual is to be seen in their 

 summer haunts. Their return in spring, as nearly as I can 

 ascertain, takes place towards the end of April, or the begin- 

 ning of May. The Coot swims with buoyancy and ease, 

 and is also an excellent diver ; which latter faculty it fre- 

 quently exerts to obtain food, as well as to escape from dan- 

 ger. Like the Gallinules, and others of the Raltidce, it is 

 very timorous and impatient of observation ; and, when dis- 

 turbed, immediately makes for the reeds or thick sedges (the 

 necessary appendages to its habitat), where it effectually 

 conceals itself, and remains so as long as the intruder conti- 

 nues in sight. Although generally seen in the water, it is 

 far from being an inactive bird on land, as BEWICK and 





