Western Bird Guide: Birds of the Rockies and West to the Pacific

by Charles K. Reed

AMERICAN COOT.

221. Fulica americana. 15 inches.

Head and neck nearly black, shading into a gray over the whole bird. Toes lobed and scalloped along the edge; bill white with a blackish band near the tip; shield narrow and brownish, ending in a point.

Nest.—This is placed in the same localities as are the [Rails], and they have the same retiring habits. Six to fifteen eggs of a grayish color finely specked all over with black or brown (1.80 × 1.30).