FULICA ATRA. 
COMMON COOT. 
Generic Character. 
Bill Ihort, ftrong, the upper mandible having at its bafc 
a calloffity, which extends up the forehead. 
Noftriis pervious, long, narrow. , 
Toes furrounded by broad fcailoped membranesj which 
are entire at the edges. 
Tail very ftiort. 
Synonyms. 
FuLiCA ATRA. Liu, Syft. 1, p, 257. 2. Ind, Orn. 2. 
p, 77. 1. 
Common Coot. Br, ZooL 2. 220. tab, 77. Ih, foU 
132. iah. F. Lath, Syn» 5, p, 275. 
1. Ih,Jupt, p, 259. 1. tab, A. and B. 
Mont, Orn, BiB, vol, 1. Bewick's 
Br. Birds^ Pt, 2, p, 127. 
X H I S fpecies is in length eighteen inches, in breadth near 
two feet, and weighs from two pounds to two pounds and a 
half • bill ftrong, the calloflity at its bafe has much the appear- 
ance of wax, the colour of this part varies with the feafon, 
in the fpring it is of a pale blufh or rofe colour, but as the 
feafon advances it declines in colour, and is in winter nearly 
white ; irides hazel ; legs placed far behind ; membranes 
furrounding the toes very tough, and beautifully veined ; in 
birds 
