Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1902-07-28

whereby a 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 it's 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 a characteristic
of these birds that it has formed the
basis of several classifcations of the
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
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 a 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 can
be made to do terrible execution in
fights between individual birds. The
members of the ostrich family have in
their toes and claws trenchant weap-
ons of offense, which they are skilful
in using. A cassowary kicks outward
and downward, and well-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 taIons like the
owls, these are used to grasp the prey
and then to carry it away to nest or
cliff, where it is to be 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. A golden eagle which once gets
a fair grip cannot be made to let go,
and if a person is caught in this grasp,
cutting the tendons of the birds legs
is necessary to release the victim.
The osprey, common along our
shore, lives entirely on fsh-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 it
apart with their beaks. 1t 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 fnny meals, very beau
tifu1 adaptation is apparent. Not only
is the fat side of the leg used as
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 be
sure it is for some good purpose, not
| for appearance.