3 THE NATURAL HISTORY 
The greater Coot has a. white forehead,’ red 
circles, or garters above the knees, the feet pin- 
nated, and the body black. In every other re~ 
fpect it is like the common Coot, only si its 
| body i 1s larger. : | 
M. Buffon had one of thefe in confinement ; 
~ blaft of wind had blown it among fome vines ; . 
~ would not take any kind of food that was pre- 
pared for it, {uch as bread, cheefe, or meat, either 
dreffed or raw : it refufed worms and little frogs, : 
either dead or living; fo bread fered) in water 
_ was forced into its bill. oe | 
It liked very much to ftand in a pan full of 
water; it would continue’ there for hours ;° when 
_ it was out of the water, it always tried to hide it- 
-felf.. Tt was not ill-natured, but fuffered itfelf to 
be taken, only flightly ftriking with the beak the 
hand that attempted to catch it, but fo gently, as 
‘{carcely to make a mark upon the fkin. . It did 
not feem angry or impatient, nor did it try to 
—efcape: but perhaps this ftupid ftillnefs was caufed 
. by confinement, for it appeared both deaf and 
filent; it never uttered any cry; and whatever 
- noife was made clofe to its ear, it feemed to take 
no notice of it., | ee 
There 
