CINEREOUS COOT. 
123 
is so beautifully detailed in the works of 
is^" its native haunts, it is vigilant and shy; and it 
®ot easy to spring it, u ithout the assistance of a dog. 
^ hength, from the tip of the bill to the end of the 
V fourteen inches ; bill, an inch and a quarter long, 
- ^ilion, greenish yellow at the tip ; irides, pale 
^ •'ilelian ; naked crown, dull azure ; head, part of the 
anl ’ throat, and breast, of a rich violet purple; back 
® Scapulars, olive green ; rump, tail, and its coverts, 
•^'ynish green ; sides of the neck, and wings, ultra- 
^?''ine, the latter tinged with green ; shoulders of 
f '"p, rich azure ; inner webs of the quills and tail- 
j^.'tthers, dusky brown; belly and thighs, dull purplish 
vent, pure white; tail, rounded; legs and feet, 
® ceiiish yellow ; claws, long, sharp, and of a pale flesh 
; span of the foot, live inches. 
GENUS h'Wl. — FULICA, Lin.xJiUS. 
24a 
‘ FoziCA AMEBICINA, CMELIS. — FUhICA ATltA, WILSON. 
CINEREOUS COOT. * 
*tSON, plate LXXni. FIG. I. EDINBURGH COLLEGE MUSEUM. 
ib"^**** species makes its appearance in Pennsylvania 
the first of October. Among the muddy flats 
Islands of the river Delaware, which are periodically 
l,.p®*'cwed, and which are overgrown with the reed or 
t>ot **'***’ rushes, the coots are found. They are 
•luinerous, and are seldom seen, except their places 
ttp^®**ort be covered with water ; in that case they are 
found sitting on the fidlen reed, waiting for 
Th • ^*”8’ cf the tide, which will enable them to feed, 
in food consists of various aquatic plants, seeds, 
a^*®ts, and, it is said, small fish. The coot has an 
fg. to take iving, and can seldom be sprung in its 
^ ®3't at low water: for, although it walks rather 
birrl in the plate. Common Coot. The description of thfe 
IS iviitteu by Mr Ord. 
