Grallcv 



183 



in the Arctic regions, it breeds throughout Britain, 

 Continental Europe, Asia, and Africa, very closely 

 allied species occupying America, Australia, and certain 

 islands. The note is of a craking description, and is 

 most commonly heard towards dusk ; the flight is low 

 and laboured ; the food consists of insects and their 



Coot's nest and eggs 



larvae, worms, herbage, or grain in winter. These birds, 

 naturally shy, come out boldly to feed on grass-land 

 after rain or towards evening. The nest is a big flat 

 mass of the leaves of sedge, reed-mace, and other plants ; 

 the eight or nine large eggs are stone-coloured with 

 reddish or purplish spots ; the structure is placed in 



