The American Coot: A national treasure
Besides squirrels, Notre Dame’s campus is teeming with wildlife, and someone who is keenly aware of this is Fr. Terry Ehrman, C.S.C. When he is not in the classroom teaching theology, science, and creation, Fr. Terry is pursuing another passion- botany and bird watching. Recently, Fr. Terry came across the American Coot (Fulica americana), who is a year round resident of the Ss. Joesph and Mary's Lakes. On seeing the American Coot, Fr. Terry said, “They are there now, and I thought it fitting to introduce this bird because spring baseball training has started. Why is this important? Well, another more common name for this bird is the “Mudhen” which is also the nickname for the Detroit Tigers' AAA club in Toledo. Some of you many remember Corporal Klinger from MASH talking about his home town team the Toledo Mudhens… or Toledo American Coots.”
