12O COOTS. 



jy then runs with flapping wings ; in flight the head and neck 

 are outstretched and the feet are held straight out behind. 

 Often leaves the water and walks about among the grass, 

 reeds, etc. When swimming the head is moved as in B, 

 a, 1. Notes, half melancholy whistles followed by a guttur- 

 al chuckle. 



2. EUROPEAN COOT, F. ATKA. Differs from 1 in hav- 

 ing the bill and frontal plate, edge of wing, and first prima- 

 ry, white; there is no white on under tail coverts. Northern 

 parts of eastern hemisphere; accidental in Greenland. 



Water birds with webbed front toes, closely blended plu- 

 mage, large bodies, long necks, bill with tooth-like lamellae 

 on sides and with a nail at tip, fig. 136. 

 Fig. 136. 



IV, A, a, 1. 

 A. MERGANSERS. Mergiiiidae. 



Long-bodied, long-necked ducks with slender bills in 

 which the lamellae are prominent and inclined backward, 

 fig. 136. Dive well. 



a. Tooth-billed Mergansers. Merganser. 



Bill, very distinctly toothed with the teeth well inclined 

 backward, fig. 136. Large white wing-patch. 



1. AMERICAN MERGANSER, M. AMERICANUS. 24.00; 

 bill, 2.00 ; head, upper neck, and anterior back, black, glossed 

 with greenish and purplish ; remainder of back, bluish-ash ; 



