THE VERTEBRATES: BIRDS 



229 



to the semi-palmate, where the web runs out only about 

 half-way. Note the lobate foot of the coots and phalaropes. 

 Note the long, slender, wading legs of the sandpipers, snipe, 

 and other shore-birds; the short, heavy, strong leg of the 

 divers; the small, weak leg of the swifts and humming- 



FIG. 121. Western robin, Merula migratoria propinqua. (Photograph 

 from life by Eliz. and Jos. Grinnell.) 



birds, almost always on the wing; the stout, heavily nailed 

 foot of the scratchers, as the hens, grouse, and turkeys; and 

 the strong, grasping talons, with their sharp, long, curving 

 nails, of the hawks and owls, and other birds of prey. In 

 all these cases the fitness of the structure of the foot to the 

 special habits of the bird is apparent. 



Similarly the shape and structural character of the bill 

 should be noted, as related to its use, this being chiefly 



