338 BIRDS OF THE WEST OF SCOTLAND. 



private aviaries in various parts of the West of Scotland, there is 

 a possibility of the Campbeltown bird having escaped from confine- 

 ment. After a careful scrutiny of the specimen, however, I can 

 find nothing in its appearance to lead to this conjecture; and as 

 the species is so abundant in many parts of Europe, the idea is 

 not untenable that it may have been driven to our coasts in some of 

 the gales at that time prevalent, or come of its own accord to 

 select fitting quarters for a fat living. 



A good figure of the Purple Gallinule is given in the fourth 

 volume of Dr Bree's work, to which, and the accompanying descrip- 

 tion of the species, I have much pleasure in referring my readers. 



GRALLATORES. LOBIPEDID^. 



THE COMMON COOT. 



FULICA ATRA. 

 Lacha-bhlar. 



THE Common Coot, although much less numerous as a species 

 than the Moor-hen, appears to have an equally wide distribution, 

 being found from north to south over the whole of Scotland, and 

 from east to west extending to the Long island or Outer Hebrides. 

 It is common throughout the inner islands, breeding in. suitable 

 places where the two species are found in company. Islay, Skye, 

 and Mull, are frequented by considerable numbers. In a few of 

 these localities it is migratory, leaving its breeding haunts about the 

 commencement of winter; numbers, however, remain all the year. 

 A single pair only has been observed in Benbecula, but it is more 

 common in North and South Uist, as well as Harris and Lewis. 

 One of the Benbecula birds was killed some years ago, but the 

 survivor, after a short absence, returned with another mate, pro- 

 bably from one of the neighbouring islands. 



The Coot is common near Glasgow, and is found nesting every 

 year in Fossil marsh, and similar places within easy reach of the 

 city. In some districts of the western mainland it migrates on 

 the approach of winter, and repairs to lochs which are but seldom 

 frozen, being more dependent on water than its congener the 

 gallinule. In severe winters, indeed, I have observed it quit its 

 usual haunts, and betake itself to the sea coast; and on such 



