16 CINEREOUS COOT. 



species as the individual in the Philadelphia Museum, and which is 

 described above, in detail. That Edwards's plate 46 represents this 

 very bird, I have little hesitation in reasserting, notwithstanding all that 

 that has been advanced to the contrary, in some recent publications. 

 Let it be remembered, that Edwards expressly informs us, his bird was 

 captured on board of a vessel, on the coast of Maryland, it having been 

 driven thither by an off-shore wind. At the foot of plate 308, Edwards 

 has represented the bill of this Phalarope, as well as that of the 

 fulicarius. 



Genus LXXXTII. FULICA. COOT. 

 Species VIII. F. AMERICANA. 



CINEREOUS COOT.* 



[Plate LXXIII, Fig. 1.] 



Fulica Americana, Gmel. Syst. i., p. 704, 23. — Lath. Jnd. Orn. p. 779, 5. — Cine- 

 reous Coot, Gen. Syn. m., p. 279. 



This species makes its appearance in Pennsylvania about the first of 

 October. Among the muddy flats and islands of the river Delaware, 

 which are periodically overflowed, and which are overgrown with the 

 reed or wild-oats, and rushes, the Coots are found. They are not 

 numerous, and are seldom seen, except their places of resort be covered 

 with water : in that case they are generally found sitting on the fallen 

 reed, waiting for the ebbing of the tide, which will enable them to feed. 

 Their food consists of various aquatic plants, seeds, insects, and, it is 

 said, small fish. The Coot has an aversion to take 'wing, and can seldom 

 be sprung in its retreat at low water; for although it walks rather 

 awkwardly, yet it contrives to skulk through the grass and reeds with 

 great speed, the compressed form of its body, like that of the Rail 

 genus, being well adapted to the purpose. It swims remarkably well, 

 and, when wounded, will dive like a duck. When closely pursued in 

 the water, it generally takes to the shore, rising with apparent reluc- 

 tance, like a wounded duck, and fluttering along the surface with its 

 feet pattering on the water.f It is known in Pennsylvania by the name 

 of the Mud-hen. 



I have never yet discovered that this species breeds with us ; though 



* Named in the plate Common Coot. 



t In Carolina they are called Flusterers, from the noise they make in flying along 

 the surface of the water. A voyage to Carolina by John Lawson, p. 149. 



