much in size, one (_F. gigantea_) being of considerable magnitude. The
remains of a very large species (_F. newtoni_) were discovered in
Mauritius, where it must have been a contemporary of the dodo, but like
that bird is now extinct. (A. N.)

FOOTNOTES:

[1] It is owing to this interchange of their names that Yarrell in his
_British Birds_ refers Victor Hugo's description of the "chasse aux
macreuses" to the scoter instead of the coot.

[2] Hence also we have _Fulix_ or _Fuligula_ applied to a duck of
dingy appearance, and thus forming another parallel case.

COOTE, SIR EYRE (1726-1783), British soldier, the son of a clergyman,
was born near Limerick, and entered the 27th regiment. He saw active
service in the Jacobite rising of 1745, and some years later obtained a
captaincy in the 39th regiment, which was the first British regiment
sent to India. In 1756 a part of the regiment, then quartered at Madras,
was sent forward to join Clive in his operations against Calcutta, which
was reoccupied without difficulty, and Coote was soon given the local
rank of major for his good conduct in the surprise of the Nawab's camp.
Soon afterwards came the battle of Plassey, which would in all
probability not have taken place but for Coote's soldierly advice at
the council of war; and after the defeat of the Nawab he led a
detachment in pursuit of the French for 400 m. under extraordinary
difficulties. His conduct won him the rank of lieutenant-colonel and the
command of the 84th regiment, newly-raised for Indian service, but his
exertions seriously injured his health. In October 1759 Coote's regiment
arrived to take part in the decisive struggle between French and English
in the Carnatic. He took command of the forces at Madras, and in 1760
led them in the decisive victory of Wandiwash (January 22). After a time
the remnants of Lally's forces were shut up in Pondicherry. For some
reason Coote was not entrusted with the siege operations, but he
cheerfully and loyally supported Monson, who brought the siege to a
successful end on the 15th of January 1761. Soon afterwards Coote was
given the command of the East India Company's forces in Bengal, and
conducted the settlement of a serious dispute between the Nawab Mir
Cassim and a powerful subordinate, and in 1762 he returned to England,
receiving a jewelled sword of honour from the Company and other rewards
for his great services. In 1771 he was made a K.B