4 2 4 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



Common Coot. 



THE Common Coot (Fulica atra, Linnaeus) is a resident 

 in the British Islands, moving about locally after the 

 nesting season. It is also found distributed over most 

 portions of Europe and temperate Asia. The adult has 

 the upper parts dark slate-grey ; secondaries, tipped with 

 white ; under parts, slate-grey ; horny shield on forehead, 

 white ; irides, crimson ; bill, pinkish at base, white at tip ; 

 legs and feet, dark green. Length, from fifteen to sixteen 

 inches. The female is similar to the male. The young 

 have the horny shield less developed, and show white on 

 the throat. 



