COMMON COOT. 565 



Madeira on migration, and winters in great numbers in North Africa, 

 ranging at that season as far south as Senegambia in the west, and the 

 Blue Nile in the east. In Southern Spain and in Africa it meets with, 

 and is partially replaced by, a nearly allied species, the Crested Coot (Fulica 

 cristata), which differs in having no white on the wing, and in having the 

 frontal shield terminating in two crimson appendages. The American 

 Coot (F. americana) is very nearly allied to the Common Coot, but differs in 

 having a considerable amount of white on the under tail-coverts. 



The Common Coot is more frequently found on open water than the 

 Moorhen, especially preferring broads, large lakes, fish-ponds, and quiet 

 slow-running rivers. It is also seen, but in smaller numbers, on the 

 mountain-lochs and tarns ; and is especially common in winter on low- 

 lying coasts where there are extensive mud-flats and quiet creeks, which 

 are almost without water at low tide. It is very partial to broad open 

 ditches, especially if there are beds of reeds and flags in them. It does 

 not seem to require or prefer such rank vegetation as the Waterhen, but 

 the banks of the water 011 which it lives must be weed- and rush-grown, or 

 covered with tall grass and brambles. On many sheets of ornamental 

 water the Coot lives in a semi-domesticated state, and will allow an observer 

 to approach it quite closely ; otherwise it is an exceedingly wary bird, ever 

 on the alert for danger, and giving the alarm to the other Water-fowl with 

 which it often congregates. As it feeds in the daytime, it too often prevents 

 the gunner approaching the flocks of Geese and Ducks, that otherwise 

 might allow him to come within range, by at once giving the alarm. 



The Coot is most at home in the water. It swims and dives with the 

 greatest ease, and may often be seen quietly sitting on the surface of a 

 pool, remaining in one spot for a considerable time. It soon gets accus- 

 tomed to noises, and frequently allows the passing train to go by without 

 showing the least alarm. It approaches with the greatest unconcern the 

 splashing water-wheels, seeming to know that it is safe from harm. It 

 swims with the same peculiar motion of the head and tail as the Water- 

 hen, venturing sometimes far out from shore, but more frequently keeps 

 close to the margin of the water. When alarmed it very often instantly 

 dives, and will go for a long distance under water to a place of safety. It 

 takes wing with the greatest reluctance, and usually flies in a very 

 clumsy manner just above the water, its feet, which are hung downwards, 

 every now and then touching the surface. It is, however, capable of 

 performing extended flights, and when once well on the wing progresses 

 with great rapidity. It often flies about at night round and round above 

 its watery haunts, every now and then uttering its peculiar note, like 

 the Waterhen. Although the feet of the Coot seem so ill-adapted for 

 progress on the land, it is by no means an ungraceful bird, as it walks 

 leisurely about the lawn or on the bare banks of the broads and lakes. It 



