Genus FULIOA or COOTS. 



TypeFULICA ATRA. 



Fulica of Linnaeus (1766). — The birds comprising the pre- 

 sent genus are characterised by having the toes united at the 

 base, and furnished with lateral extensions of the membranes 

 which form lobes, or scolloped processes. The wings are 

 moderately long ; the tail is short, rounded, and composed of 

 twelve feathers. The legs are long, and the lower portion of the 

 tibia is devoid of feathers. The bill is short, stout, compressed, 

 the culmen extending and expanding at the base into a broad 

 frontal plate ; nostrils longitudinal, situated in a groove . Three 

 toes in front, one behind ; claws sharp. 



This genus is composed of about twelve species, which are 

 distributed in all parts of the world except the Arctic latitudes. 

 One species is a resident in the British Islands. 



The Coots closely resemble the typical Waterhens in their 

 habits and the localities they frequent. They are, how ever, more 

 partial to salt water. They swim and dive with great ease, and 

 walk and run with equal facility. Their flight is rather slow and 

 laboured. They are more or less gregarious. They make bulky 

 nests amongst the aquatic vegetation, and their eggs are numerous 

 and spotted. Their notes are loud and discordant. Their food 

 consists of insects, worms, moUusca, bads and ^shoots of plants, 

 and seeds. They are monogamous. Their flesh is of indifferent 

 quality. 



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