AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 
CINEREOUS COOT.* 
FULIC^ AMERICANS. 
[Plate LXXIII Fig. 1.] 
Fulica Americana^ Gmel. Syst. 1, p. 704,23. — Lath. Ind. Orn. p, 779, 5. Cinereous Coot, 
Gen. Syn. 3, p. 279. — Peale’s Museum, No, 4322. 
THIS species makes its appearance in Pennsylvania about 
the first of October. Among the muddy flats and islands of the 
river Delaware, which are periodically overflowed, and which are 
overgrown with the reed or wild oats, and rushes, the Cools are 
found. They are not numerous, and are seldom seen, except their 
places of resort be covered with water : in that case they are gene- 
rally found sitting on the fallen reed, waiting for the ebbing of the 
tide, which will enable them to feed. Their food consists of vari- 
ous aquatic plants, seeds, insects, and, it is said, small fish. The 
Coot has an aversion to take wing, and can seldom be sprung in 
its retreat at low water ; for although it walks rather awkwardly, 
yet it contrives to skulk through the grass and reeds witli great 
speed, the compressed form of its body, like that of the I'ail genus, 
being well adapted to the purpose. It swims remarkably well, 
and, when wounded, will dive like a duck. When closely pursued 
in the water, it generally takes to the shore, rising with apparent 
reluctance like a wounded duck, and flattering along the surface 
VOL. IX. 
^ Named in the plate Common Coot. 
3 L 
