FORM AND IIAIJIT: THE FKET. 



27 



outer feathers, as in tlie ^leadowhirk. Tlie tiiil may 

 also be expressive of disposition. Compare tlie drocjped 

 tail of a ])ensive Flycatcher with the n])tilted mendjer of 

 an in(piisitive Wren. 



Ihit it is when displaying its heanties that a bird 

 speaks most eloquently with its tail. Can anything ex- 

 ceed the pompous pride of a Turkey cock strutting in 

 swollen glory, with tail stiffly spread ? The Peacock 

 erects his tail in a similar manner, but it is entirely con- 

 cealed by the train of gorgeous feathers ^yhich it par- 

 tially supports. 



The Feet. — As the feet share with the wings the re- 

 sponsibilities of locomotion, there is often a close rela- 

 tion between these organs. For example, short-winged 

 terrestrial species like Quails, Grouse, and Hails have well- 

 deyeloped feet, but such aerial creatures as Swifts and 

 Swallows haye exceedingly small feet (see Figs. 3 and 4). 

 The aquatic Grebes and Divers are practically helpless on 

 land, but the Ostrich can outrun the horse ; while in the 

 perching birds the foot is so specialized that l)y the auto- 



Fio. 12. — Lobed foot of a Coot, a 

 swiinniiny^ bird of the Kail 

 family, ('/a natural size.) 



Fig. 13. — Lobed foot of a Phala- 

 ropc, a swiinmint: bird of the 

 Suipe family. (^Natural size.) 



matic action of certain tendons the l)irds are locked to 

 their perches while sleeping. A webbed foot implies abil- 

 ity to swim, and wc tind this character present in all the 



