Coot (Fulica), a water-bird in the same family as the rails (Rallidæ), and in the old order Grallæ. The members of the genus are well marked by a scalloped fringe round the long toes, which thus show an approach to the webbed condition. The beak is straight and short, but expands in a curious swollen patch on the front of the forehead. The tail is very short. The coots are essentially aquatic, almost always afloat, and especially frequent still waters. They feed on water-plants and small animals. The European species generally migrate southwards in winter.
The Common Coot (F. atra) is widely distributed in Central and South Europe, and in Western Asia. It is about 16 inches in length, and has a predominantly slaty black colour, with a narrow white band across the wings. The bill and the bald forehead expansion are bright white, the feet more or less green. Coots make a large rough nest of water-plants and stems among the rushes, or on a rock in the middle of the stream. They are not much esteemed for eating, but are readily and often shot in large numbers when congregated thickly on the mud-banks. In the north of Scotland the coot is only a summer bird, but in the south of England they stay all the year. The American Coot (F. americana) is common in all parts of North America.