266 THE WORLD OF ANIMAL LIFE 



however, the two little birds came up and gave battle. One 

 alighted on her back and pluckily attacked her neck, while the 

 other flew into her face, beat her head with its wings, and so fright- 

 ened and bewildered her that at last she retreated, leaving the 

 plucky little coots masters of the situation. They then began for 

 the third time to build their nest, and this time completed it with- 

 out molestation. 



The coot feeds on water insects, water snails, and tiny fish, and 

 may often be seen diving beneath the surface to seek for them. 

 Sometimes it leaves the water and pokes about among the herbage 

 on land, in search of caterpillars, worms, &c. When the frosts 

 come, and the ponds and lakes are frozen over, it flies away to the 

 sea-shore, and there remains until warmer weather melts the ice, 

 and it can return to its former haunts. 



GAVI^ 



THE GULLS 



Through the Water-hens we are introduced by a perceptible 

 relationship to the Bustards, Cranes, and others which form the 

 order Alectorides, and these in turn lead us to the Plovers, Sand- 

 pipers, Snipe, &c., i.e. the order Limicols. Through that order we 

 reach the great and well-known Gull tribe. 



Ever\'one who has ever paid a visit to the sea-side must have 

 noticed the Sea-gulls. And very few people can see them without 

 admiring them. 



They are such beautiful birds, with their long, narrow wings 

 and bright plumage! Some are almost entirely white, with just 

 a tinge, perhaps, of gray; others have black heads or black backs. 

 And they are so wonderfully graceful, too, as they sweep quietly 

 to and fro over the water. Now they soar upwards, so easily that 

 there seems no effort in their flight; now they sweep downwards, 

 with the same silent, gliding motion; or they will hover almost 

 motionless for a moment or two, like a kestrel over a stubble field. 



