THE COOT. 127 



Foxes are said to be fond of Coots, and when the 

 waters they frequent are frozen up, it is not impro- 

 bable that many fall victims. This may probably 

 account for their returning in diminished numbers 

 after long frosts. On a mere, where, from constant 

 observation, we knew the precise number, they 

 would remain as long as a few square yards of water 

 are unfrozen, sitting on the ice, or swimming with a 

 sort of despairing restlessness, round their rapidly 

 contracting space, as if unwilling, while hope of 

 thaw was left, to seek shelter elsewhere. Even when 

 this, their last opening, is sealed up, they will, for a 

 day or two, linger amongst the rushes on the 

 borders; but at length they disappear altogether, 

 and may in vain be sought for in the ditches and 

 open streams adjacent. As they do not return till 

 many days after the frost has broken up, and Ducks 

 and other birds common to the mere have reap- 

 peared ; it is probable they migrate to some distance, 

 most likely to the sea-coast, where frost has little 

 power, and where we know, during very severe 

 weather, they have been observed to congregate in 

 flocks far beyond the average numbers frequenting 

 the neighbouring meres or marshes. 



The third genus in this table comprises the Jaca- 



Th.e Foot of the African Jacana. 



