339 
of the United States. 
Young, head and neck brownish-black, beneath paler, and 
somewhat mixed with white. ^ 
Common Coot , Fnlica atra , WUs. ix. p. 61. pi. 13»fg. 1* 
Inhabits throughout North America : wintering and breed- 
ing in the south, retiring to the north during summer : not 
rare in autumn in the middle states. 
FAMILY XXII. PINNATIPEDES. 
Order Pinnatipedes , Lath . Temm. Lohipedes , 111. Lon - 
girostres , Cuv. Pinnatipedes , Vieill. Ranz. Pterodactyli , 
{Pinnidactyli ) Lair. Scolopacidce , Vigors. 
Bill moderate, slender, straight, sub-cylindrical; both 
mandibles furrowed each side nearly their whole length ; 
upper one somewhat curved at the point; lower hardly 
shorter, quite straight, point subulate : nostrils in the fur- 
row, basal, lateral, longitudinal, linear, half covered by a 
membrane. Head small, wholly feathered, compressed, 
rounded above ; eyes small ; neck well proportioned ; body 
roundish. Feet moderate, 4-toed ; naked space on the tibia 
rather extensive ; tarsus as long as the middle toe, moderate, 
robust, somewhat compressed, reticulated ; toes moderate, 
rather slender; three anterior bordered by a festooned or 
lobed membrane ; outer connected at base to the middle one ; 
hind toe short, bordered only internally with a small, entire 
membrane, articulated rather high and internally, touching the 
ground at tip : nails short, curved, acute. Wings long, fal- 
ciform, acute ; first and second primaries subequal, longest. 
Tail short, of twelve feathers, under coverts extending to 
its tip. 
Female differing a little from the male, larger; handsomer 
in full plumage. Young very different from the adult, 
and varying much according to age. Moult twice in the 
year, changing their colors wonderfully. Plumage close, 
thick, abundantly furnished with down, impermeable. Colors 
