ABOUT THE COOT. 177 
feeds. " Sometimes," says Macgillivray, " be makes excursions into 
the neighbouring fields, where he walks and runs in precisely the 
same manner as the water-hen, and with equal ease ; but he is 
not quite so ready as that bird to quit his safe retreat on the 
waters. He is extremely shy and vigilant, instantly betakes him- 
self to flight when approached, but very seldom flies off unless 
one comes suddenly upon him, or a shot be flred at him, — when he 
rises at a very low angle, splashing up the water with his wings and 
feet, proceeds but to a short distance, and alighting, conceals himself 
among the reeds or equiseta, and remains there until the danger 
be over." 
The coot dives with ease and grace, and in summer gives utter- 
ance to a loud abrupt call, not unlike the note of a trumpet. 
BIRDS OF THE ISLES. 
We have hitherto confined our wanderings to the mainland. The 
reader may now be not unwilling to accompany us on an excursion to 
12 
