COOT— CRANE, 
275 
Genus— 
207. Fiilica atra. Coot. 
Bald Coot. 
Resident in all parts of the county, but thinly dis- 
tributed. 
A certain migratory movement of this species is notice- 
able everywhere in the winter, and at this season large 
flocks sometimes visit the estuaries and the sea-coast, many 
of the birds, no doubt, from inland waters. 
In the Isle of Wight it is scarce in summer, though a 
few pairs now breed in the marshes near Brading, but it is 
plentiful in winter. 
It is not a bird to be encouraged, as it is quarrelsome 
and aggressive, and increases at the expense of the other 
species. 
In the British Museum there is a nest from Avington. 
Mr. Corbin remarks ' that the coot has greatly decreased 
upon the Avon within his memory. 
Hawker's bag was forty-eight in fifty years. 
Order— ALECTORIDES. 
Family — Gruidce. 
Genus— 
208. Grits communis. Crane. 
A very rare accidental visitor. 
In the Hart collection at Christchurch is a specimen 
shot at Iford by Mr. Bullock, in 1852. 
' " Zoologist." 1893. 
