406 THE COOT. 



marsh-grass. Like that of the Gallinule, the nest often has 

 a gradual inclination on one side, forming a convenience 

 for the bird to enter from the water. So free is the motion 

 of this nest, that it may rise and fall with the changes of 

 water-level, or rock in the storm with perfect safety. The 

 eggs, some 9-14, 1.87X1.27-2.00X1.30, are slightly tinged 

 with brown, being very minutely specked and spotted all 

 over with black or dark brown, and so nearly the color of 

 the bleached material on which they are laid, as scarcely to 

 be discernible at any considerable distance. The bird does 

 not sit very closely, but running on the debris or water for 

 a few feet, takes wing with a peculiar splatter, never rising 

 high or flying far. When swimming, the Coot will often 

 allow an approach within shot-range, then starting on a 

 run on the water, it will rise into the air gradually with a 

 spatting, splattering noise, which soon becomes very familiar 

 and distinguishable to the ear. Often shaking the large 

 lobed feet when clear of the water, it flies with the bill 

 pointing down and the feet bending upward, its broad 

 wings differing much from those of the Ducks; and its near 

 splash into the water being about as peculiar to itself as is 

 its noise on rising. Very properly do the western hunters 

 call this bird the " Splatterer." When the black clouds of 

 a near thunder-storm are overhead, his white bill, in front 

 of its black head, becomes very conspicuous, fairly 

 gleaming for whiteness. It is decidedly a noisy bird, its 

 coo-coo-coo-coo-coo being heard both day and night, the first 

 note being prolonged on a much higher key, while the rest 

 are somewhat accelerated. It will often squack similar to 

 a Duck, and has other notes too unique and difficult of 

 description to be given here. The Coot is quite playful on 

 the water, and when the male stretches his neck forward, 

 partly elevates his wings like the Swan, and spreads his 



