Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1902-07-31

whereby certain tendon draws all the
toes close together whenever the heel
joint is bent, so when bird squats
down for the night it is in no danger
of falling, as the very settling down
on the branch clinches its toes around
the support, only to be loosened by
rising.
The quail grouse and related birds
make use of their toes in searching
among leaves and soft dirt for insects.
This is so pronounced characteristic
of these birds that it has formed the
basis of several classifications of tie
group. A few of the smaller perch
ing birds also scratch, as the chewing.
which kicks the leaves backward with
both feet at once. In the winter the
toes of the ruffed grouse undergo a
curious adaptation, TO meet the diff
culties of walking in soft snow On
the sides of the toes a kind of horny
fringe grows out, which serves adj
mirably as snowshoe, to help support
the weight Of the bird.
Spurs are found in pheasants, pea
cocks, turkeys, and many other birds.
and in structure correspond to claws
or nails; but instead of at the end of
the toes, are placed up on the leg.
These are usually very sharp, and cam
be made to do terrible execution III
fights between individual birds. The
members of the ostrich family have in
their toes and claws trenchant weap-
oIs of offense, which they are skilful
IN using. A cassowary kicks outward
and downward. and yell-landed blow
will kill man or beast instantly.
Coming to the hawks and eagles, we
have another class of feet, armed with
long, curved claws or talons. like the
owls, these are used to grasp the prey
and then to carry 1t away Ia nest or
Cliff, where it is to he devoured. The
harry earle may be taken as the ex-
IRENE of this class--a bird with
enormously thick legs,and talons which
can pierce almost anything. The
strength of all these birds Is very
great. golden eagle which once gets
fair grip cannot be made to let go,
and il person is caught in this grasp,
cutting the tendons of the birds legs
is necessary to rele ase the victim.
The osprey, common along our
shore, lives entirely on fish-most
difficult objects to catch and hold
so nature has provided this birds
toes with a sandpaperlike surface,
which, combined with the incurved
talons and reversible outer toe, is a
very efficient fish trap. The condor
and other vultures have no grasping
power in their feet, and can only hold
their prey firmly, while they tear 4
apart with their beaks. II is unneces-
sary to mention the wonderful paddles
and propellers which we find among
web-footed birds, but as the snake
birds swim around their tank In pur-
suit Of their finny meals, a very beau
tiful adaptation is apparent. Not only
is the fiat side of the leg used as a
cutwater on the recovery of the stroke,
but the toes curl and uncurl. brought
forward through the water rolled into
a small compass, and then spreading
out as broadly as possible on the re-
turn stroke. A more perfect propelling
mechanism could not be imagined.
Here, as everywhere in nature, adap-
tation is the keynote, and whenever
we notice any popularity In the foot
or toes of bird or animal we may ba
sure 1t is for some good purpose, not
for appearance