324 



Count Salvadori writes (Ucc. d'ltal. p. 237) that it occurs very rarely in Italy: one was 

 procured in Liguria ; and another, now in the University Museum at Pisa, was purchased in the 

 market of that town. In Sardinia it is said to be tolerably common, but appears, Mr. A. B. 

 Brooke says, more abundantly some winters than in others ; and in Sicily, according to Malherbe, 

 it has been obtained on the Anapus ; but Salvadori says that it is stated to have been met with 

 on the lakes in the southern portions of that island. I have examined a fine specimen shot in 

 Malta by Mr. C. A. Wright in May 1859; and he says that he was informed by Dr. Gulia that 

 three were shot at Marsa Scala in February 1860. It does not appear to have been observed in 

 Greece, Turkey, or Asia Minor; but Captain Shelley writes (B. of Egypt, p. 278): — This Coot 

 " appears to be plentiful at times in Egypt, and extends, I believe, throughout Nubia. I never 

 met with a specimen while in the country ; but a resident informed me that they are abundant 

 during the inundations." Von Heuglin says that he found the Crested Coot in considerable 

 numbers late in April and early in May on Lake Tana, in Abyssinia ; Lefebvre obtained one in 

 May in Enderta; and Blanford writes that he met with it in tolerable abundance on Lake 

 Ashangi. 



In North-western Africa this Coot appears to be even more abundant than on the eastern 

 side. Canon Tristram found it breeding numerously on Lake Halloula, in Algeria, where he 

 never met with the common Coot (though it certainly occurs there in the winter with its 

 congener) ; and he believes that each species confines itself to its own nesting-places. Thus, in 

 the lakes he visited in Eastern Algeria the following summer, while Fulica atra abounded, 

 Fulica cristata never once came under his observation. Near Tangier, F.ivier says (fide Colonel 

 Irby), it is both resident and migratory. Those which migrate return from the north in 

 September. It associates with Fulica atra, but is much more numerous than that species. 

 Lord Lilford informs me that he " met with it in the Regency of Tunis, where it was pretty 

 common on the lakes and lagoons in the early winter of 1856." 



It probably ranges right down the west coast of Africa, though there are many intermediate 

 localities, which have been well worked by collectors, whence it has not been recorded. Pro- 

 fessor Barboza du Bocage states that it occurs on the Bio Coroca. Mr. Andersson says that it is 

 common, in suitable localities, in Damara and Great Namaqua Land, and more abundant in 

 the lake regions ; and Mr. E. L. Layard writes (B. of S. Afr. p. 343), in the Cape colony it " is 

 abundant on all ponds and sheets of water. It also frequents deep holes and still reaches in 

 rivers, concealing itself amid the herbage during the day, and feeding morning and evening about 

 the banks. It wanders at these times several hundred yards from its lair, and on being alarmed 

 scuttles away on its feet, aided by its wings, until, a sufficient impetus being attained, it rises in 

 the air, and will not unfrequently fly a very long distance. It swims well and boldly ; and I 

 have seen it alight on the waters of Table Bay and breast a considerable sea. It constructs a 

 nest of sedge, usually floating among the rushes, and lays seven eggs." Mr. F. A. Barratt states 

 (Ibis, 1876, p. 213) that this Coot is by no means rare in the Lydenburg district. Towards the 

 mouth of the Mooi river, near the Vaal, he found them in great abundance, and shot specimens 

 a few hours' north of Pretoria. Mr. Ayres and Mr. T. E. Buckley obtained it in the Transvaal, 

 and the former in Natal, where, however, it is less numerous than in the Transvaal ; and both 



