i6 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX. 



THE LEG AND FOOT. 



A bird's leg may be briefly described as having only the knee 

 downward exposed; the true thigh is concealed, but may be felt 

 under the skin on the side of the body. The true knee is close to the 



Booted Tarsus ScuScUaa Tarsus 



body just under the skin. The first exposed joint, which is apparently 

 the knee, is really the heel. (See illustration.) The bird does not 

 walk on the foot (from the heel downward), but merely walks on its 

 toes. 



Types of Feet. — Water Birds. 



