ZOOLOGY. 



113 



t. Fiilica. Coot. Bill short, strong, the upper mandiblo 

 having at its base a bare callous, extending up the 

 forehead ; nostrils pervious, long, narrow ; toes four, 

 surrounded by a scalloped membrane, which is entire 

 at the edges ; tail short. 



The Coots generally inhabit large lakes, and inlets from 

 the sea, they build floating nests, swim and dive well, but 

 walk very awkwardly ; they feed on fish, worms, insects, 

 and in the autumnal months, often repair to corn-fields, and 

 devour grain ; and except at this season their flesh is unfit for 

 food. One species is a native of the British Islands. 

 British Ornithology^ vol. 1 . 



3. Podiceps* Grebe. Bill strong, strait, pointed ; nostrils 

 linear ; tongue slightly cleft ; skin surrounding the 

 eyes, bare; /e^f^ placed far behind, compressed side- 

 ways, the hind part edged with a double row of serra- 

 tures; toes surrounded with a plain membrane; tail 

 wanting. 



Most of the Grebes inhabit the sea or mouths of large 

 rivers, but in the Spring, retire to inland lakes to breed, and 

 rear their young ; they are all piscivorotr^, aod their flesh 

 unfit for the purpose of food ; their oiotions on laud are 

 awkward, owing to the situation of their feet, which seem 

 to protrude from the extremity of their bodies : in tiio water, 

 they are exceedingly active ; they build floating nests, and 

 on quitting them cover their eggs vvith arty decaying vet,eta- 

 bles they can obtain, which effectually screen ihera f •oni 

 ©bservation ; their nests are composed of so large a quan- 



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