Position of the Feet of Birds duriag Flight. 483 



Thus far as regards web-footed birds. The same principle 

 seems equally applicable to the Waders^ if, instead of con- 

 sidering tlie webbed foot, we bear in mind the comparatively 

 large foot and long toes which have to be disposed of, and 

 wliich certainly would not be in any easy or natural position 

 if the leg were doubled up close to the body during flight. 

 Although Herons and some other birds of this group perch 

 on trees, their feet do not appear to be specially suited for 

 that purpose. They look Avhen alighting as if they were not 

 quite iu their element among the branches, and the perform- 

 ance seems to have something of an acrobatic character, 

 involving a good deal of balancing, unless the branch on 

 which they first perch be tolerably large and afford a fairly 

 steady resting-place, without much necessity for bending 

 the toes. In the case of the Rallidse the large toes would be 

 a still greater impediment if held in front ; and although, as 

 I have said, I cannot speak from personal observation, I have 

 hardly a doubt about the feet being carried behind. In the 

 Passeres, or true perchers, the legs and feet are usually of 

 very moderate size, and the contraction of the toes appears a 

 natural habit ; they clutch the smallest twigs in many eases, 

 and are at once secure and at home on their perch. I should 

 expect, therefore, that there would be no difficulty about 

 doubling up their feet in front, especially as, with a few ex- 

 ceptions, and under the particular circumstances of migra- 

 tion, their flights are only of very short duration. However, 

 I do not want to speculate as to what may or may not be 

 the case. 



It will be observed that the length or shortness of the legs 

 has nothing to do Avith the position in which they are carried. 

 The short-legged Tern and the long-legged Flamingo, the 

 Stilt and the Snipe, have all exactly the same habit in this 

 respect; and this, I think, will dispose of the supposition 

 that the position of the legs has something to do with the 

 balance of the bird. The manner in which the head is carried 

 has probably more bearing on that question. 



In very many cases it is extremely difficult to obtain a 

 clear view of the position of a bird's feet during flight, and 



