1 
birds of the firfl: year there is fometimes a band of yellow on 
the bare fpace above the knee. Colours alike in both fexes. 
The Coot is common throughout this country, frequenting 
mod: of the rivers, lakes, and extenfive pools, where it breeds ; 
its nefl: is placed among flags or reeds, with the leaves of 
which, and other coarfe herbage, it is formed ; with thefe 
is frequently woven the flem of a living plant, which fe- 
cures it from being carried away by the current. It lays from 
five to feven eggs of a dirty white colour, finely fprinkled 
whh red fpots, which towards tKe large end become conflu- 
ent ; the young when firft hatched are of a fhapelefs appear- 
ance ; they foon begin to provide for themfelves, but do not 
quit the parent birds till the approach of winter, often 
feeking the fhelter and warmth of their wings ; the young 
are frequently caught up by the moor buzzard and kite, and 
numbers alfo fall an eafy prey to the pike and water-rat. 
This bird is an expert fwimmer ; but makes a very awk- 
ward figure on land, as it walks with difficulty and not without 
repeatedly falling, owing to the legs being placed fo far behind ; 
it is not eafily roufed to take wing, and when it is, flies 
only a fhort diilance ; if it attempts to fly over land it feems 
overcome by fear, and its greateft exertions can fcarcely keep it 
from the ground ; when alarmed it will often almofl: bury itfelf 
in the mud rather than quit its retreat ; in the duik of evening 
it may be obferved flculking along the banks or margins of 
ponds in fearch of food, which confifls of worms, flugs, fmall 
fifli, and the roots of aquatic vegetables. 
In the winter they are fometimes brought to our markets, 
where their appearance is very tempting, owing to the deli- 
cate 
