68 THE OSPREY. 



20. Ring-necked Duck (^A. collaris). 



21. Whistler ( Clangula clangula americana). 



22. Butterball {Charitonetta albeola). 



23. Old Squaw (Harelda hyemalis). 



24. Ruddy Dock [Erlsmatura jainaiceiisis). 



25. Wild Goose (Branta canadensis). 



26. Swan {Olor 'buccinator'). 



27. Coot (Fulica americana). 



The most abundant of all of these is the coot, followed by the bluebill, 

 little bluebill, redhead, butterball, mallard, canvas-back, whistler and ruddy 

 duck. The first to arrive in the fall are the coots and then a few helldivers 

 and horned grebes appear. Then the two species of bluebill, the mallard, the 

 whistlers and the ruddy ducks come; and still later the redheads and canvas- 

 backs, and the fish-ducks. 



Early in September the coots came in great numbers, and were very soon 

 found in all parts of the lake. A few were seen in August, but the first large 

 lot came on September 22 in 1899, and also in 1900. That portion of the lake 

 immediately in front of my cottage was one of their favorite feeding grounds, 

 and I had exceptionally good opportunities for observing them daily, or even 

 hourly, from the time they came up to October 18, in 1899, and up to De- 

 cember 11, of 1900. 



During my observations in 1899, it had not occured to me that anything 

 new or of importance could be learned regarding the habits of this well-known 

 bird, and the observations we recorded were made and recorded chiefly and 

 simply as a matter of personal pleasure and knowledge. But when I returned 

 home in the fall and began looking through various ornithological works to 

 see how my observations tallied with those of others, I was surprised to find, 

 in the first place, how little has really been recorded, and in the second place, 

 that mueh that has been recorded does not agree at all with my own observa- 

 tions. 



I became particularly interested in what was said in the books regarding 

 the flying, diving and feeding of the coot, and the character of its flesh as an 

 article of food. 



According to Giraud, as quoted by Baird, Brewer and Ridgway, "if pur- 

 sued the coot can run very fast and swim and dive very well; and, if in danger, 

 with great rapidity". Dr. Cooper says, "Being but rarely shot at by hunters, 

 it is remarkably tame, collecting in flocks of hundreds in the marshes about 

 San Francisco and other cities, as well as near remote mountain lakes, walking 

 awkwardly about on their shores, and scarcely getting out of the way to escape 

 the sportsman, who thinks it an unworthy object of his skill, as its flesh is 

 dark and unpalatable. The young bird, however, is said to be good eating". 



