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Dr. Hartlaub and Mr. E. Newton state that it is found in Madagascar, being, according to 

 Mr. Caldwell, Mr. Newton adds, common near the capital. 



I have not had the good fortune to see this Coot in a wild state, and am therefore obliged 

 to collect information respecting its habits from the writings of those naturalists who have visited 

 its haunts in Africa. Almost all who have seen it wild agree in saying that it does not differ in 

 habits from Fulica atra ; but Mr. A. von Homeyer, who met with it in the Balearic Isles, says 

 (J. f. O. 1862, p. 430) that, when on the water, it bears more resemblance to Gallinula chloropus 

 than to Fulica atra, as also in the localities it selects for its habitat.; for it does not evince so 

 great a preference for large sheets of water, but is seen chiefly in swamps and ponds. Referring 

 to its habits as observed by him in North Africa, Von Heuglin says that it is usually found in 

 colonies in the shallow, reedy, and flag-covered portions of the larger lakes in the Abyssinian 

 highlands, at an altitude of from 6000 to 9000 feet. In still weather these Coots are to be seen 

 on open places in the lakes tolerably far from the shore ; but wind or waves drive them directly 

 into the shelter of the reeds. They feed on insects and their larvae, spawn, shells, small fish, and 

 aquatic plants. They appear to be migratory ; for he never saw any on Lake Tana in February 

 or March ; but it is possible that they had withdrawn to more inaccessible localities than those 

 they at other times inhabited. They always avoid running water. When wounded they take to 

 the land and hide amongst the roots and tangled brushwood on the shores. Mr. Andersson says 

 (B. of Damara Land, p. 327) that " these Coots may often be observed congregated in large numbers 

 on open sheets of water, where they might easily be mistaken for a flock of Ducks, except that 

 they do not 'pack' like wildfowl. If disturbed, they will sometimes, if near a reedy brake, seek 

 safety by hiding there ; but more frequently they have recourse to their wings, when they exhibit 

 great powers of flight." In Natal, according to Mr. Ayres (Ibis, 1868, p. 470) the Crested Coots 

 are " very shy, and maintain a flight for a length of time, examining their ground well before 

 realighting ; but in the Transvaal they seem to trust more to hiding and diving for their safety, 

 and, when flushed, fly but a short distance. Frequently have I stood up to my middle in water 

 listening to some cunning old bird within a few yards of me, and vainly trying to catch a glimpse 

 of him, where there was not enough cover, apparently, to hide a rat. Either these birds must 

 possess the power of ventriloquism, or they must remain under water with perhaps just their 

 bills out ; one thing is certain, that they are expert divers." 



The nest and eggs of this Coot closely resemble those of Fulica aim. Canon Tristram says 

 that the eggs run rather larger than those of the common Coot ; but this is scarcely the case as 

 regards South-African examples. The nest is placed on little openings in artificial mounds, or 

 among the stumps of old reed-clumps, and is tolerably well constructed of reeds and grasses. In 

 Damara Land, Mr. Andersson says, these Coots " build their nests of and amongst reeds, rushes, 

 and grasses, usually selecting the most retired spots, though I have also found their nests in 

 most exposed situations. A few old reed-stalks serve as a footing for the nest, which is roughly 

 but firmly constructed, and is raised, though sometimes only a few inches, above the surface of 

 the water." It breeds very numerously in some parts of South Africa; for Mr. Gurney remarks 

 (Ibis, 1868, p. 261) that " Mr. Ayres, in travelling from Natal to Potchefstroom in the month of 

 December, found this Coot breeding so abundantly on the larger lagoons that he and his com- 



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