86 THE GAME BIRDS AND WILD FOWL 



Subfamily FULICIN.4E.— The Lobe=toed Rails. 



The Lobe-toed Eails may be distinguished from other members of the present 

 family by the scalloped lobe-like membranes on the toes. It does not contain 

 probably more than a dozen species and subspecies, all of which are included 

 in a single genus. 



Qenus FULICA, or Coots. 



Type, FULICA ATEA. 



Pulica, of Linnaeus (1766). — The birds comprising the present genus are 

 characterised by having the toes united at the base, and furnished with lateral 

 extensions of the membranes which form lobes, or scalloped 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 and compressed, the culmen extending and 

 expanding 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 Polar latitudes. One species is a resident in the 

 British Islands. 



The Coots closely resemble the typical Water Hens in their habits and in the 

 localities they frequent. They are, however, 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, mollusks, buds, and shoots of plants and seeds. They are monogamous. 

 Their flesh is of indifferent quality. 



