THE AMERICAN COOT. 
139 
inlets, which are so plentiful in those countries ; but after the period above 
mentioned, none remain, and therefore it is certain none can breed there, 
although such is asserted by Mr. Bartram, who no doubt mistook the 
Common Gallinule for the Coot, that bird breeding in those places in 
considerable numbers. During the month of September, the Coot is also 
abundant on all the western waters, and its appearance in those districts 
being so much earlier than in the Floridas, is a sure indication of the inland 
course of its migrations. On the sea-coast, in fact, it is comparatively rare. 
Although the curious form of their feet, aud the situation of their legs, 
might induce one to suppose these birds incapable of moving on land with 
ease, experience proves the contrary, for they not only walk with freedom, 
but can run with great speed when necessary. They are accustomed to 
leave the water too, and resort to open lands on the margins of streams and 
lakes, for the purpose of feeding, both in the morning and in the evening. 
While ascending the Mississippi, being about fifty miles above New Orleans, 
on the 21st of March, 1822, the weather cloudy, I had the pleasure of seeing 
about six or seven hundred of these birds feeding on the grass of a savannah 
bordering the river. I took them while at some distance for a great flock 
of Guinea Fowls. Their movements were brisk, they often struck at each 
other in the manner of the domestic fowl, and ran with surprising celerity. 
As I approached nearer, I plainly saw them nibble the tender grass, in the 
same manner as poultry ; and having found a place of concealment behind a 
rise of the ground, I laid myself flat, and observed their motions at leisure ; 
but during twenty minutes spent in that situation, I did not hear a single 
note from the flock. I fired among them, and killed five, on which the rest, 
after running a few steps, all rose and flew off with speed towards the river, 
mounted high in the air, came curving over me, their legs hanging behind, 
their wings producing a constant whir, and at length alighted on a narrow 
channel between the shore, where I was, and a small island. Following 
them with caution, I got sufficiently near to some of them to be able to see 
them leap from the water to seize the young leaves of the willows that 
overhung the shores. While swimming, they moved with ease, although 
not with much speed, and used a constantly repeated movement of the head 
and neck, corresponding with that of the feet. Now, twenty or thirty of 
them would close their ranks, and swim up the stream in a lengthened body, 
when they would disperse, and pick up the floating substances, not one of 
them diving all the time. On firing at a large group of them that had 
approached me, they started off in various directions, patting the water with 
their feet, and rushing with extended wings, for thirty or forty yards, but 
without actually flying. After this, they made towards the brushy shores, 
and disappeared for about a quarter of an hour. The rest of the birds, which 
