DECEMBER 1956 AMERICAN COOT (FULICA AMERICANA) FEB 18 LAKE MERCED, OAKLAND, ALAMEDA CO., CALIF. 8:30AM -> AT LEAST 100 IN SIGHT FROM VARIOUS POINTS AROUND LAKE. THERE DIDN'T SEEM AS INTERESTED IN OBSERVERS AT LAKE MARGIN AS MAGNAZIS DID. BUT, WOULD COME IN TO SWIM AROUND IN FRONT OF GROUPS OF OBSERVERS. LESS SET RATHER FAR BACK ON DOWN SIDE OF BIRD. SHADY GREY WITH WHITE BILL ON WATER. NO DIVING NOTICED. HEAD + NECK APPEARS DARKER GREY THAN REST OF BODY. AT CLOSE RANGE WHITE TALE ON END OF TAIL(?) WHEN SWIMMING AWAY RAPIDLY THE WHOLE BODY + HEAD SEEMS TO "JUMP" FORWARD + BACKWARD.