146 BIRDS OF THE HUMBER DISTRICT. 



managed to escape, having a wonderful facility for 

 working its way through the very small space left 

 between the closed lids a space so narrow that it 

 appeared almost impossible for even a Sparrow to 

 have squeezed through. 



195. GALLINULA CHLOROPUS (Linnaeus) . Water- 

 hen. 



Common and generally distributed on our ponds, 

 drains, and streams. Considering these birds are 

 such prolific breeders, often eight to ten eggs being 

 found in a nest, and that three broods are sometimes 

 reared in the year, it is somewhat surprising that they 

 do not increase rapidly in numbers. This has cer- 

 tainly not been the case in this neighbourhood. From 

 one cause or other, I believe, a very small proportion 

 of the young broods, compared with other water birds, 

 come to maturity. 



GEALLATORES. LOBIPEDIDJE. 



196. FULICA ATRA, Linnseus. Coot. 

 Provincial Bald-pate, Bald Coot. 



The Coot, formerly so abundant in our fens*, is 

 now confined to a few favourite localities. Numerous 



* William of Malmsbury (temp. 1200) tells us that the 

 fens were " so covered with Coots and Ducks, and the flashes 

 with Fowl, that in moulting time, when they cannot fly," the 

 natives " take 2 to 3000 at a draft with their nets." 



