444 THE BIRDS xvi. 6 



The femur articulates with both tibia and fibula at the knee. The 

 fibula is distinct at its upper end, fused with the tibia below. The 

 joints of the foot are greatly simplified by the union of the proximal 



Fig. 257. Leg of pigeon dissected from lateral side. 

 amb. ambiens tendon; dist.fi. flexors of distal phalanges ; fib. fibula; gastr. gastrocnemius; 

 il-fib. ilio-fibularis; il-tib. ilio-tibialis; isch-fl. ischio-flexorius; lig. lateral ligament of 

 knee; peron.brev. peroneus brevis; peron.long. peroneus longus; pr.fi. flexors of proximal 

 phalanges; sort, sartorius; sen. sciatic nerve; si. sling for tendon of ilio-fibularis; t.t. tibio- 

 tarsus; t.mt. tarso-metatarsus. 



tarsals with the tibia to make a tibio-tarsus, articulating at an inter- 

 tarsal joint with the remaining three tarsal and metatarsal bones, fused 

 to make a single tarso-metatarsus. There are usually four digits arti- 

 culating with the tarso-metatarsus; three directed forwards and one 

 backwards. In standing, the weight is usually balanced in tripod 

 fashion on three of the four points provided by the front and back 

 portions of the feet. 



