the coot, in ornithology, a genus of birds, of the order of grallae. It has a convex bill, with the upper mandible fornicated over the lower at the edge; the lower mandible is gibbous behind the tip. The forehead is bald, and the feet have four toes a little lobated. There are four species,

1. The Fulica with a bald forehead, a black body, and lobated toes. It is the coot of Ray, and an inhabitant of Europe, and feeds upon seeds and herbs, and runs as well as swims upon the water. 2. The fulica with a bald forehead, and toes without webs.

It is the water-hen, or moor-hen of Ray, and is found in Europe. 3. The fulica with a bald forehead, a violet-coloured body, and toes without webs, is the purple water-hen of Edwards, and it inhabits Asia and America. 4. The fulica with a carunculated forehead, a variegated body, spinous shoulders, and toes without webs; but the nail on the hinder toe is exceeding long. It is the spur-winged water-hen of Edwards, and is an inhabitant of South America. The nail on the hind toe is strait, and longer than a man's finger. The pollex rests upon one joint, and the wings are green.