BIRDS HUNTED FOR FOOD OR SPORT. 



221 



COOT {Fulica americana). 



Common or local names: White-billed Mud-hen; Mud-hen; Meadow-hen; Water-hen; 

 Marsh-hen; Pond-hen; Crow-bill; Pond-crow; Blue Peter; Sea-crow; Pelick; 

 Water-chicken. 



Length. — 14 to 16 inches. 



Adult. — Head and neck blackisli; body, wings and tail slaty, paler below; 

 wing when spread shows a narrow white edging; bill whitish marked 

 with two dark spots near tip; frontal shield brown; feet rather livid 

 or bright yellowish green, each toe with a broad membranous flap; 

 claws black; iris carmine. 



Young. — Similar, but much lighter below; bill dull flesh color. 



Field Marks. — The white bill; size of Teal or larger. Nearly uniform slate 

 color, and blackish head. 



Notes. — A cuckoo-like call, coo-coo-coo-coo, the first note prolonged and on 

 a much higher key (Hatch). Also, at intervals, a squawk somewhat 

 resembling the quack of a duck, and other explosive and cackling 

 notes. 



Nest. — A hollowed heap of dead reeds, sometimes in the water. 



