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381 
of the reeds to which it is attached. Bewick relates the 
following curious anecdote:—“A Bald-Coot built her nest 
in Sir William Middleton's Lake at Belsay, Northumber¬ 
land, among the rushes, which were afterwards loosened 
by the wind, and of course the nest was driven about and 
floated upon the surface of the water in every direction, 
notwithstanding which the female continued to sit as 
usual, and brought out her young upon her moveable 
habitation/’ 
