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COOT.

Tuts isa well-known English bird, common in many
places where there is water. Its length is about one
foot and a half; the bill and forehead, which is bare of
feathers, are pale flesh-colour. The whole of the plumage
is black, except the breast, which is of a dusky ash-
colour, and a line of white along the ridge of the wing.
The legs and feet are dark green.

The eggs are six or seven in number, of a dull white,
sprinkled over with a number of small deep rust-coloured
spots. ‘Many of these birds,” says Montagu, “never
forsake their breeding-places, even in small pieces of
water; and, notwithstanding they are frequently roused,
cannot be compelled to fiy farther than from one side
to the other. The vast flocks which are seen in South-
ampton River, and other salt-water inlets, in winter,
must probably breed farther north, at least a great patt
of them. At this season of the year it is commonly
sold in our markets. Most authors give as a specific
character a yellow band or garter above the knee. This.
however, does not always hold good, and may depend
upon the season.

It is said to breed in great abundance in the Isle
of Sheppy, where the inhabitants will not suffer the
eggs to be taken, as the birds are a great article of
food. They place their nests among the flags, on the
surface of the water; and by heaping a quantity of materials
together, raise the fabric above the water, so as to keep
the eggs dry. In this buoyant state, a sudden gale