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Range (North America as far north)

North America as far north as Alaska and New Brunswick, and casually Greenland; breeds locally throughout its range; rather rare on the Atlantic coast during the nesting season.

Washington, common T. V., Mch. to May; Sept.. to Oct. 15. Long Island, uncommon T. V., Apl.; not uncommon, Sept. to Nov. Sing Sing, common T. V., Apl. 28 to May 16; Sept. 22 to Nov. 13. Cambridge, T. V., rare in Apl.; common Sept. to Nov.

Nest, of reeds, grasses, etc., among reeds in fresh-water marshes. Eggs, eight to fifteen, pale, buffy white, finely and uniformly speckled with chocolate or black, 1.85 x 1.25. As one might imagine after seeing their lobed feet, Coots are more aquatic than either of the Gallinules. In the Middle States they are found in creeks and rivers with marshy and reed-grown shores, while in Florida they resort in enormous numbers to lakes covered with the yellow lilies locally known as "bonnets" (Nuphar); and in some of the large, shallow rivers, like Indian River, they may be found in myriads, associated with Lesser Scaup Ducks.

In my experience they are as a rule quite shy; but near the long PHALAROPES. railway pier at Titusville, Florida, where shooting is prohibited, they are as tame as domestic Ducks. They evidently know the boundary line between safety and danger, however, and when beyond the protected limits show their usual caution. Coots swim easily, with a peculiar bobbing motion of the head and neck. When alarmed they patter over the water, using their feet as much as their wings. The sound produced is a characteristic one. They are noisy birds, and when alarmed break out into a great chorus of high, cackling notes which I have heard at a distance of half a mile. Their ivory-white bill is an excellent field mark, and readily serves to distinguish Coots from Gallinules.

The EUROPEAN COOT (220. Fulica atra) inhabits the northern parts of the Old World, and sometimes occurs in Greenland. It closely resembles the American Coot, but lacks the white markings on the edge of the wing and under tail-coverts.