232 
THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
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 molluscs. 
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. 
Eggs .—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 
belt-ns —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 creamv-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 Linne 
Fii-lic-a —L., fulica, coot: d-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. 
iV^/.—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 
ot a low bush growing in water. Some nests have rough pathways of 
reeds leading to them. 
Seven to ten, dull whitish-brown, uniformly covered with dots 
ana spots ot purplish-brown and a few faint markings of dull violet-grey. 
Breeding-season: August to February. ' 
