THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
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Usually in pairs or flocks, frequenting the reedy margins and flats of 
rivers, back-waters, and swamps. It also congregates in large flocks and 
occasionally does considerable damage to crops and gardens. The 
call-note is loud and shrill and is generally uttered during the night 
or when the bird is startled. It swims readily; when walking it flicks 
its tail continually. Food: grass, aquatic plants, and freshwater mol¬ 
luscs. Uses foot to hold food when feeding. 
nest. An open structure, composed of reeds, rushes, and other plant 
material; placed on a platform of broken-down reeds or in a tussock of 
lignum. 
ecgs. Five to seven, varying from pale brown to faint creamy-brown, 
covered with evenly scattered dots, spots, and small irregular-shaped 
blotches of dull reddish or purplish-brown, and faint markings of 
pale slate-grey. Breeding-season: August to December or January. 
6. Western Swamp-hen Porphyrio bellus Gould 
bell'-us— L., bellus , beautiful. 
distribution. South-western Australia. 
notes. Also called Bald Coot, Azure-breasted Gallinule, and Blue¬ 
breasted Swamp-hen. Usually in pairs or flocks, frequenting swamps 
and the margins of rivers and lakes. It is similar in habits and economy 
to the Eastern Swamp-hen. 
nest. Very similar to that of the Eastern Swamp-hen. 
eggs. Four to seven, pale or creamy-brown, covered with dots, spots, 
and rounded blotches of pale purplish-red, and underlying markings 
of purplish-grey and faint inky-grey. Breeding-season: August or 
September to December or January. 
7. Coot Fulica atra Linn£ 
Fu'-ZZc-a—L., fulica , coot: a-tra— L., ater , black. 
distribution. Australia generally, and Tasmania; also occurs in 
Europe, northern Africa, and Asia; accidental to New Zealand. 
notes. Usually in pairs or flocks, frequenting lakes, swamps, or back¬ 
waters of streams. An expert swimmer and diver; a most graceful bird 
in the water, but with a rather clumsy gait on land. When swimming 
it constantly jerks its head backwards and forwards, apparently keeping 
time with the paddle-like strokes of its feet. It is also a noisy bird, with 
a variety of notes. Food: aquatic plants and animals. 
nest. An open, bulky structure, composed of aquatic plants; lined 
with the sheaths and leaves of reeds; built in a bunch of reeds or on top 
of a low bush growing in water. Some nests have rough pathways of 
reeds leading to them. 
eggs. Seven to ten, dull whitish-brown, uniformly covered with dots 
and spots of purplish-brown and a few faint markings of dull violet- 
grey. Breeding-season: August to February. 
