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THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
in pairs or flocks, frequenting the reedy margins and flats of rivers, back- 
waters, and swamps. It also congregates in large flocks and occasionally 
does considerable damage to crops and gardens. The call-note is loud and 
shrill and is generally uttered during the night or when the bird is startled. 
It swims readily; when walking it flicks its tail continually. Food: grass, 
aquatic plants, and freshwater molluscs. Uses foot to hold food when 
feeding. 
Nest. — An open structure, composed of reeds, rushes, and other plant 
material ; placed on a platform of broken-down reeds or in a tussock of 
lignum. 
Eggs. — Five to seven, varying from pale brown to faint creamy- 
brown, covered with evenly scattered dots, spots, and small irregular- 
shaped blotches of dull reddish or purplish-brown, and faint markings of 
pale slate-grey. Breeding-season: August to December or January. 
6. Western Swamp-hen Porphyrio bellus Gould 
bell' -us — L., bellus , beautiful. 
Distribution. — South-western Australia. 
Notes. — Also called Bald Coot, Azure-breasted Gallinule, and Blue- 
breasted Swamp-hen. Usually in pairs or flocks, frequenting swamps and 
the margins of rivers and lakes. It is similar in habits and economy to 
the Eastern Swamp-hen. 
Nest. — Very similar to that of the Eastern Swamp-hen. 
Eggs . — Four to seven, pale or creamy-brown, covered with dots, spots, 
and rounded blotches of pale purplish-red, and underlying markings of 
purplish-grey and faint inky-grey. Breeding-season : August or September 
to December or January. 
7. Coot Eulica atra Linne 
Fu'-lic-a — L., fulica, coot : a-tra — L., ater , black. 
Distribution. — Australia generally, and Tasmania; also occurs in 
Europe, northern Africa, and Asia; accidental to New Zealand. 
Notes. — Usually in pairs or flocks, frequenting lakes, swamps, or back- 
waters of streams. An expert swimmer and diver; a most graceful bird 
in the water, but with a rather clumsy gait on land. When swimming 
it constantly jerks its head backwards and forwards, apparently keeping 
time with the paddle-like strokes of its feet. It is also a noisy bird, with 
a variety of notes. Food : aquatic plants and animals. 
Nest. — An open, bulky structure, composed of aquatic plants; lined 
with the sheaths and leaves of reeds ; built in a bunch of reeds or on top 
of a low bush growing in water. Some nests have rough pathways of 
reeds leading to them. 
Eggs. — Seven to ten, dull whitish-brown, uniformly covered with dots 
and spots of purplish-brown and a few faint markings of dull violet-grey. 
Breeding-season: August to February. 
