98 



COOT. 



belly beyond the equilibrium of the body ; shanks compressed ; three 

 toes before, very long-, entirely webbed ; the hind toe short, articulated 

 upon the shank, carrying a small loose membrane. Claws flat. Wings 

 short ; the first quill the longest. Tail very short and rounded.* 



CONIROSTRES (Cuvier.)— * Birds having conical bills.* 



COOT (Fulica atra, Linn^us.) 



Fulicaatra, Linn. Syst. 1. p. 257. 2 Gmel. Syst. 2. p. 702 Fulica aterrima, 



Linn. Syst. 1. p. 258. 3 Fulica leucorex, Linn. Syst. 2. p. 703. 21 Fulica 



^thiops, lb. 2. p. 704. 22 — Fulica atra, Raii, Syn. p. 116. A. 1 Will. p. 



239. t. 59.— Bnss. 6. p. 23. t. 2. f. 2.— lb. 8vo. 2. p. 365 Ind. Orn. 2. p. 77. 



No. 1 Temm. 2. p. 706. — Fulica major, Raii, Syn. p. 117. 2. — Le foulque au 



morille, Buff. 8. p. 211. t. 18 Common Coot, Br. Zool. 2. No. 220. t. 77. 16. 



f. 132. t. F Arct. Zool. 2. No. 416 Will. (Angl.) p. 319. t. 59.— Albin, 1. 



t. 83— Wale. Syn. 2. p. 167.— Lath. Syst. 5. p. 275. 1.— lb. Supp. p. 259. 1. 

 A. & B. — Lewin's Br. Birds, 5. t. 195— Don. Br. Birds, 5. 1. 106.— Pult. Cat. 

 Dorset, p. 416.— Monf. Orn. Diet.— Greater Coot, Penn. 2. p. 221.— Will. 

 (Angl.) p. 320.— Lath. Syn. 5. p. 277. 2 Wale. Syn. 2. t. 168. 



Provincial. — Bald Coot. Belty Coot. 



This species sometimes weighs as much as thirty ounces ; its length 

 is eighteen inches. The bill and callous part of the forehead pale flesh 

 colour ; irides hazel. The whole plumage black, except on the belly, 

 which is of a dusky ash colour ; and a line of white on the ridge of the 

 wing ; legs and toes dark green. 



The Coot is a very common bird in this country; it breeds in many 

 of our lakes, rivers, and large ponds, forming a nest of flags amongst 

 the reeds and other aquatic plants close to the surface of the water. 



The eggs are six or seven in number, of a dirty white, sprinkled 

 over with small deep rust-coloured spots. Many of these birds never 

 forsake their breeding-places, even in small pieces of water ; and not- 

 withstanding they are frequently roused, cannot be compelled to fly 

 farther than from one side to the other. The vast flocks which are 

 seen in Southampton river and other salt-water inlets, in winter, most 

 probably breed farther north ; at least a great part of them. At this 

 season of the year it is commonly sold in our markets, frequently ready 

 picked. They look exceedingly white, but the flavour is rather fishy. 

 Most authors give as a specific character a yellow band, or garter, on 

 the bare part above the knee. This, however, does not always hold 

 good, and may depend on the season or sex. 



It is said to breed in great abundance in the Isle of Sheppy, where 

 the inhabitants will not suffer the eggs to be taken, as the birds are a 

 great article of food. They place their nests among the flags on the 

 surface of the water ; and by heaping a quantity of materials together, 

 raise the fabric above the water so as to keep the eggs dry. In this 

 buoyant state, a sudden gale of wind has been known to draw them 



