TM r o o T .
and Mr, Meddle remark that this species is found in various parts of
Orkney. It was common in Evic, and is still frequent in South Ronaldshay,
in Sunday, in Papa Westray, etc. It breeds, and remains throughout
tlie year.
I n Ireland also, it is a constant resident; also in Wales,
Its natural resorts are large and small lakes and pond*, and sluggish
rivers, where reeds and rushes, the spontaneous growth of the alluvial
soil, furnish umbrageous recesses suitable to its desire of privacy; but
it also at times visits the low parts of the coast, especially during hard
frosts, whin the inland waters are frozen up.
I t is, to a certain extent, migratory; many remain with us throughout
the year, but still more come towards winter from the north, and of
these also the chief number seek the more southern parts of t h e island.
The spring movement takes place in March and April, and the autumnal
one in October and Xovember. The birds proceed by night to or
rather towards their destination, beginning to move about dusk, and
halting by the break of day at any suitable place of repose and
refreshment, '['he nocks preserve no special order in their (light, and
their voices may be heard aloft in still weather, at such times indicative
of the approaching change of weather.
They are shy, except in the breeding-season, and give instant notice,
made use of at the same time by other birds in their neighbourhood,
of the approach of any danger. They will live long in confinement,
being easily tamed, if a sufficiency of water exists for their habits. Sir
Thomas Browne wrote about two h u n d r e d years ago of these birds: —
' U p o n the appearance of a Kite or Buzzard, I have seen them unite
from all parts of the shore in great numbers, when, if the Kite stoops
near them, they will fiing up and spread such a flash of water with
their wings, that they will endanger the K i t e , and so keep him off
again and again in open opposition.' Messrs. Shepherd and Whitoar,
in their 'Catalogue of Norfolk and Suffolk Birds,' observe that they
practise this habit also to defend themselves or their young from the
frequent attacks of large and prcdaceous Gulls. Coots are frequently
to be seen in the markets for sale, but they are not considered good
birds to eat. They have the same power that the Moor-Hen has of
keeping the body sunk beneath the water, while only the bill is kept
out to breathe, and even the very young birds not only dive, but
practise this mode of hiding themselves when pursued.
The Coot dives with great quickness aud ease, rising sometimes as
much as a hundred yards from the spot where it had gone down. They
are very powerful and strong on the wing, though they seem to dislike
getting up, and are at times seen at a considerable height, and make
COOT. 71
extended migrations. In flight they carry the legs stretched out behind
them. If alarmed to get u p from the water, they scurry and flap along,
the head and neck straight out, aud their feet pattering upon the
surface, and a large number together make a very considerable noise.
They move about on d r y land actively and well, and are said to be
able to perch on trees, but prefer to keep, which they mostly do, on
the other element.
' W h e n the bird is by chance seen to walk on the ground,' says
Meyer, ' i t s appearance is not very elegant, owing to the formation and
backward position of the legs, and t he attitude it necessarily requires
to keep its balance, which is by carrying its breast high, back arched,
aud tail lowered.' They are said to make use of their feet as weapons
of defence, if attacked at close quarters. They roost at night either
on a congeries of rushes in the middle of a piece of water, at a small
distance from the land, or ascend some height, or mount into a tree,
which they do with ease and readiness.
They will readily feed on grass if other food be scarce; grain
they devour with avidity. Small fish, aquatic insects, and water-plants
form their ordinary supplies; aud they also pick the buds, blossoms,
and seeds of different plants, aud corn, too, "when seeking food at
night on the land. In the early part of the year, when the plants
that have their roots below the water have not as yet reached the
surface, these birds, acting on the principle that 'if the mountain
will not come to Mahomet, Mahomet must go to the mountain,' are
in the habit of frequently diving to procure them, where they only
then can be procured. They remain a considerable time under water
in search of food.
The call is only a harsh wild ' c r e w , ' or ' k e w , ' the origin probably of
the name, uttered either singly or several times in succession. This
is the similitude of it as given by Meyer; but it is rarely indeed
that the note of any bird can be properly expressed in the. syllabic
form. The male bird also in the spring, when the hen is sitting,
gives utterance to a strong, loud, and shrill twanging cluck. The
young keep up a constant noise, unless any one approach, when they
instantly become still.
The nest, not unfrequcntly deferred to be made until May, is a
large structure, and, though of rough workmanship, very strong in its
composition, so as to keep the eggs dry, albeit in such close proximity
to water. It is built by the edges of islands in, or by t he
borders of lakes, ponds, and rivers, and is generally placed among,
and loosely attached to flags and reeds; sometimes on a tuft of rushes,
and composed of the former plants: the finer portions are placed