345 
THE COMMON COOT. 
Fulica atm , Linneas. 
PLATE XXXIII. 
Fulica atra, Lmn., Qc Foulque macroule, Tenim Greater 
Coot, Penn . — Coot or Bald Coot of modem British authors. 
The Common Coot appears to be a constant resi- 
dent in many parts of south and middle England, 
in some localities making partial migrations to the 
coast. To the northward, and in Scotland, it can 
scarcely be considered more than a summer visitant, 
arriving early in the spring to breed. In Southern 
England, where the rivers are broader and more 
lake-like, it is found in them as well as in broad 
expanses of water ; but in Scotland it may be con- 
sidered as confined to the lochs, and to those dis- 
tricts where the country has no alpine character. 
We have never traced it among the wilder Highland 
waters, though Dr. Neil and Mr. Dann have remark- 
ed it in the Orkneys. In the south of Scotland, they 
arrive in their breeding stations early in spring, and 
a straggling few only remain during mild winters. 
Before they have dispersed in pairs, or after having 
joined when incubation has been finished, they may 
