COMMON COOT. 127 



Sir Thomas Browne of Norwich, when writing of British 

 Birds about 1635, says, " Coots are in very great flocks on 

 the broad waters. Upon the appearance of a Kite or 

 Buzzard, I have seen them unite from all parts of the 

 shore in strange numbers ; when, if the Kite stoop near 

 them, they will fling up, and spread such a flash of water 

 with their wings, that they will endanger the Kite, and so 

 keep him off again and again in open opposition ; " and 

 this habit they practise to the present time to defend them- 

 selves or their young from the frequent attacks of large 

 and predaceous Gulls. 



Of their habits in autumn and winter, when pursued by 

 the sportsman or the fowler, Colonel Hawker says, u Coots 

 found in rivers are scarcely thought worth firing at ; yet 

 they are in great requisition when they arrive for the 

 winter on the coast, from the immense number that may 

 be killed at a shot, as they roost on the mud-banks. Coots, 

 when on the coast, usually travel to windward, so that a 

 west wind brings them to the west, and an easterly wind 

 to the east, instead of the contrary, as with other fowl. 

 The plan that I have found best for slaughtering the Coots 

 by wholesale is, either to listen for them before daylight, 

 and rake them down at the grey of a white frosty morning, 

 or watch them at some distance in the afternoon, and set 

 into them as late in the evening as you can see to level 

 your gun, taking care, if possible, to keep them under the 

 western light. Coots, instead of drawing together before 

 they fly, like geese and many other fowl, always disperse 

 on being alarmed ; and, as they generally fly to windward, 

 the gentleman's system of wild-fowl shooting answers well, 

 which is, to embark with a party, sail down on them, and, 

 as they cross, luff up and fire all your barrels. When a 

 beginner at wild sport, I used to be mightily pleased with 



