COOT. 



carrying away eggs out of hen houses without breaking them. 

 A weasel or stoat will break and suck the stolen egg on the 

 spot. 



THE COOT (Fulica aim) is also found in Moidart, but I have 

 not had an opportunity of drawing it from life, or studying its 

 habits further than that in swimming it carries the stern high. 

 The feet of this bird are rather peculiar half-webbed and 

 lobated like the Dabchick's and Phalarope's adapted both for 

 swimming and wading, or walking in soft, wet places. 



148 



