The American Coot 



become on the chase that they would crowd together where the crumb 

 was going to fall, and in the scrimmage which followed it was not unusual 

 for one or more birds to be forced up off the water — birds literally two 

 stories deep. Never a bird was left to undisturbed enjoyment of his 

 catch, and many a morsel was halved and quartered before it disappeared. 

 A particularly large piece would send its owner scudding over the water, 

 if it were half way across the pond, and his progress was continually 

 intercepted by halfbacks and fullbacks tackling on the slant. There 

 was some bad feeling engendered, and I had time to witness again that 

 curious cock fight wherein the combatants lie back on the water with 

 wings outstretched by way of stays, and, with heads cocked forward, 

 kick at each other with vicious intensity. 



Although the Coot bids fair to thrive under cultivation, there is 

 one situation, and that in his favorite haunts, where he never feels at 

 home. If he is caught out anywhere in that area of tall stiff grass which 



Taken in Washington 



BIRD TRACKS 



Photo by the Author 



THE FLEEING BIRD. DISTINGUISHED BY A WHITE PATCH ON THE TIPS OF THE SECONDARIES, MAY BE DESCRIED AT THE 



LEFT EXECUTING THE LAST KICK 



surrounds a good many of our swamps, and especially if the observer comes 

 up between the Coot and the water, the bird knows he is fairly trapped 

 and will as likely as not stop suddenly and stand absolutely motionless. 

 On such occasions, I have caught them by hand without a struggle — 

 playing possum — and friends have done the same, although the bird 



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