How Birds Fight 



Enlarged inner claws are also found in the 

 cranes and the Muscovy duck, and their use is 

 likely to be involuntarily discovered by any one 

 who incautiously handles the latter bird under 

 the impression that ducks are harmless things. 

 In these cases, however, the fighting-claw is 

 curved or hooked, and its special adaptation for 

 warfare is only evident by its unusual size. 

 Many birds of prey have enlarged inner claws, 

 but this is merely part of the adaptation of their 

 feet for predatory purposes, whereas, in the cases 

 I have noted above, the big claw comes under 

 the head of special weapons for attack or defence, 

 such as the spurs above described. 



'53 



