228 BIRDS 



pattering noise and splashing, often heard when the coots 

 cannot be seen for the tall sedges that screen them, is 

 characteristic of ducks also. 



In southern waters, at least, coots and ducks often resort 

 to the same lakes. At no time of the year silent birds, 

 often incessant chatterers, it is during the nesting season 

 that the coots break out into shrill, high-pitched, noisy 

 cacklings, which the slightest disturbance calls forth. 

 Jealous, unwilling to permit alien swimmers in their neigh- 

 borhood, sociable, but without any great love of kin or 

 kind to mellow their dispositions or their voices, they 

 make their neighborhood lively. But coots are shy of men, 

 albeit the young and old alike have flesh no one not 

 starving could eat, although eagles and some hawks seem 

 to relish them, and they usually live in some inaccessible 

 pond or swamp, especially at the nesting season. As 

 night approaches, they lose much of the timidity which 

 keeps them concealed and silent the greater part of the 

 day. 



Throughout their wide range the coot is variously 

 known like the rail as mud hen, also as blue Peter, and 

 moor hen. 



The Great Blue Heron 



Length — 42 to 50 inches. Stands about 4 feet high. 



Male and Female — Crown and throat white, with a long 

 black crest beginning at base of bill, running through 

 eye, and hanging over the neck, the two longest nuptial 

 feathers of which are lacking in autumn. Very long 

 neck, light brownish gray, the whitish feathers on lower 

 neck much lengthened and hanging over the dusky and 

 chestnut breast. Upper parts ashy blue; darker on 



