( 291 ) 

 THE AMERICAN COOT. 



FULICA AMERICANA, GmEL. 

 PLATE CCXXXIX. Male. 



From November until the middle of April, the Coots are extremely 

 numerous in the southern parts of the Floridas, and the lower portions 

 of Louisiana. At that season they are seen in flocks of several hun- 

 dreds, following their avocations on all the secluded bayous, grassy lakes, 

 and inlets, which are so plentiful in those countries ; but after the period 

 above mentioned none remain, and therefore it is certain none can breed 

 there, although such is asserted by Mr Bartram, who no doubt mistook 

 the Common Gallinule for the Coot, that bird breeding in those places in 

 considerable numbers. During the month of September, the Coot is 

 also abundant on all the western waters, and its appearance in those dis- 

 tricts being so much earlier than in the Floridas, is a sure indication of 

 the inland course of its migrations. On the sea coast, in fact, it is com- 

 paratively rare. 



Although the curious form of their feet, and the situation of their 

 legs, might induce one to suppose these birds incapable of moving on land 

 with ease, experience proves the contrary, for they not only walk with 

 freedom, but can run with great speed when necessary. They are ac- 

 customed to leave the water too, and resort to open lands on the margins 

 of streams and lakes, for the purpose of feeding, both in the morning and 

 in the evening. While ascending the Mississippi, being about fifty miles 

 above New Orleans, on the 21st of March 1822, the weather cloudy, I 

 had the pleasure of seeing about six or seven hundreds of these birds 

 feeding on the grass of a savannah bordering the river. I took them while 

 at some distance, for a great flock of Guinea Fowls. Their movements 

 were brisk, they often struck at each other in the manner of the domestic 

 fowl, and ran with surprising celerity. As I approached nearer, I plainly 

 saw them nibble the tender grass, in the same manner as poultry ; and 

 having found a place of concealment behind a rise of the ground, I laid 

 myself flat, and observed their motions at leisure ; but during twenty mi- 

 nutes spent in that situation, I did not hear a single note from the flock. 

 I fired among them, and killed five, on which the rest, after running a 



t2 



