374 



The Bird 



claws, and even the soles of the feet are thickly covered, 

 so that the skin of the bird is never in contact with the 

 snow and ice on which it roosts. 



The osprey, or fish-hawk, can, Uke the owls, reverse 

 its outer toe, but all typical hawks and eagles have the 



Fig. 293. — Owl gripping a piece of meat. 



perching-bird arrangement. The talons of the osprey 

 are immensely strong, and the scales on the soles of its 

 feet and toes are hardened and roughened to such a degree 

 that they are almost spike-like. A more efficient fish- 

 trap cannot be imagined. The Golden Eagle has a splendid 

 foot, with great curved talons, which, when they have 



