186 



latter we do not find it lurking about damp ditches, moist 

 pasture-lands, or hiding in a covert of brambles, for, 

 even when suspicious of danger, it seldom quits the water. 

 It prefers to take refuge among the tall sedges and 

 other aquatic plants. Even when undisturbed it does 

 not venture as a rule far from the water's edge, albeit 

 it is active on foot and its gait, though slower than that 

 of the Water-hen, is easy and graceful. Thus on land 

 its movements are markedly different from those of the 

 Ducks and other web-footed birds with which it often 

 associates; but observed on. the water at a short distance 

 it might be mistaken for a dark-coloured Duck ; for 



FIG. 25. COOT. 



unlike the Bails and Water-hen it is not narrow and 

 gaunt-looking, but as it swims, which it does with no less 

 ease and buoyancy than a Duck, its body appears full 

 arid rounded. The Coot 'is also a capable diver. Large 

 ponds, lakes, and deep slow-flowing rivers, thickly fringed 

 with reeds and bulrushes, are its favourite resorts ; but 

 in hard weather this species betakes itself to salt-water 

 estuaries, where in company with sea-fowl, it may be 

 seen congregated in hundreds. Flocks may also be 

 observed on large sheets of inland water, such as the 

 Norfolk ' Broads,' and Slapton Ley in Devon, where battue- 

 shooting is still practised and large numbers killed. At their 

 breeding-places, e.g., on many of the large lakes of Ireland, 

 Coots are also gregarious. 



