BRITISH BIRDS. .133 
COOT, 
OR, BALD COOT. 
{^FuUca atroy Lin . — La Foulque, ou Morrelky Buff.) 
This bird generally weighs, when in full condi- 
tion, about twenty-eight ounces, and meafures fif- 
teen inches in length. The bill is of a greenilh 
white colour, more than an inch and a quarter 
long : a callous white membrane, like that of the 
Water Hen, but larger, is fpread over the fore- 
head, which alfo, as in that bird, changes its co- 
lour to a pale red in the breeding feafon: irides 
red : the upper part of the plumage is black, ex- 
cept the outer edges of the wings, and a fpot under 
each eye, which are white : the under parts are 
of a hoary dark afh or lead colour. The Ikin is 
