98 
COOT. 
belly beyond the equilibrium of the body ; shanks compressed ; three 
toes before, very long-, entirely webbed ; the hind toe short, articulated 
upon the shank, carrying" a small loose membrane. Claws flat. Wings 
short ; the first quill the longest. Tail very short and rounded.* 
CONIROSTRES (Cuvier.)— * Birds having conical bills.* 
COOT {Fulica atra, Linnaeus.) 
Fulica atra, Lhin. Syst. 1. p. 257. 2 Gmel. Syst. 2. p. 702. — Fulica aterrima, 
Linn. Syst. 1. p. 258. 3. — Fulica leucorex, Linn. Syst. 2. p. 703. 21. — Fulica 
^thiops, Ih. 2. p. 704. 22 Fulica atra, Raii, Syn. p. 116. A. 1. — WiU. p. 
239. t. 59._Bms. 6. p. 23. t. 2. f. 2.— Ib. 8vo. 2. p. 365 Ind. Orn. 2. p. 77. 
No. 1 — Temm. 2, p. 706. — Fulica major, Raii, Syn. p. 117. 2. — Le foulque au 
morille, Buff. 8. p. 211. t. 18 Common Coot, Br. Zool. 2. No. 220. t. 77, 16. 
f. 132. t. F — Arct. Zool. 2. No. 416 Will. (Angl.) p. 319. t. 59. — Albin, 1. 
t. 83. — Wale. Syn. 2. p. 167. — Lath. Syst. 5. p. 275. 1. — lb. Supp. p. 259. 1. 
A. & B. — Lewin’s Br. Birds, 5. t. 195. — Don. Br. Birds, 5. 1. 106. — Pult. Cat. 
Dorset, p. 416.-^Mont. Orn. Diet. — Greater Coot, Penn. 2. p. 221. — Will. 
(Angl.) p. 320. — Lath. Syn. 5. p. 277. 2 Wale. Syn. 2. t. 168. 
Provincial. — Bald Coot. Belty Coot. 
This species sometimes weighs as much as thirty ounces ; its length 
is eighteen inches. The bill and callous part of the forehead pale flesh 
colour ; irides hazel. The whole plumage black, except on the belly, 
which is of a dusky ash colour ; and a line of white on the ridge of the 
wing ; legs and toes dark green. 
The Coot is a very common bird in this country; it breeds in many 
of our lakes, rivers, and large ponds, forming a nest of flags amongst 
the reeds and other aquatic plants close to the surface of the water. 
The eggs are six or seven in number, of a dirty white, sprinkled 
over with small deep rust-coloured spots. Many of these birds never 
forsake their breeding-places, even in small pieces of water ; and not- 
withstanding they are frequently roused, cannot be compelled to fly 
farther than from one side to the other. The vast flocks which are 
seen in Southampton river and other salt-water inlets, in winter, most 
probably breed farther north ; at least a great part of them. At this 
season of the year it is commonly sold in our markets, frequently ready 
picked. They look exceedingly white, but the flavour is rather fishy. 
Most authors give as a specific character a yellow band, or garter, on 
the bare part above the knee. This, however, does not always hold 
good, and may depend on the season or sex. 
It is said to breed in great abundance in the Isle of Sheppy, where 
the inhabitants will not sulfer the eggs to be taken, as the birds are a 
great article of food. They place their nests among the flags on the 
surface of the water ; and by heaping a quantity of materials together, 
raise the fabric above the water so as to keep the eggs dry. In this 
buoyant state, a sudden gale of wind has been known to draw them 
