i 4 IX THE GREEN LEAF 



other, shrieking out Curiek-curiek-curiek-crick- 

 crick-crick-crick. 



When almost touching each other they throw 

 themselves back on their spread-out tails, drop 

 their wings down to back-water a bit, keep- 

 ing their heads well back, and strike out with 

 their scratching machines in the most scientific 

 manner ; fair one, two given, on either side 

 with wonderful quickness. Holding on to 

 each other, they bob up and down in the most 

 ludicrous manner, looking as if they were 

 trying to dive tail first. Presently one sees a 

 fair chance of fixing the other under the throat 

 with his bill, and under they go again. 



No game-cocks nor cast of hawks crabbing 

 over a quarry ever fought with more deter- 

 mination than did that pair of coots. I saw 

 the finish ; the one that got the worst of it left 

 the water, and hid himself in some brushwood. 

 Then the victor shook his feathers into order, 

 swam into the middle of the pool, with his 

 plumes raised like that of a black swan, and 

 softly crerked-crerked. There was a move- 

 ment in some tussocks opposite to us, and out 

 paddled a hen coot to meet her lord, who had 

 been giving such violent proofs that he would 

 not have strange company forced upon him. 



