THE FOOT. 419 



been already remarked that the bill and foot prove 

 certain useful guides to the ornithological student, 

 in ascertaining the habits and position of their 

 possessor in the great bird family. Not less in 

 contrast are the feet of the eagle and those of the 

 duck, than their bills were found to be. If we 

 gave to the eagle its powerful beak, but gave it 

 also the feet of a duck, it would soon be apparent 

 how unfitted such a form of the foot was to the 

 monarch of the air, the daring efforts of whose 

 fearful talons have on more than one occasion 

 snatched up helpless infants, and carried them off 

 in the very presence of their parents, to their 

 inaccessible home. Had the eagle a duck's foot, it 

 might indeed swoop down upon its prey and destroy 

 it with its powerful bill, but it could carry no por- 

 tion of it away beyond that which it devoured for 

 itself. On the other hand, we can easily conceive 

 how ludicrous a duck would appear stalking among 

 the peaceful occupants of the farm- yard, with a 

 pair of the most terrible-looking feet, armed with 

 great claws! It need scarcely be said that the 

 latter would be quite as uncomfortable with the 

 change as the former, particularly if it were to 

 attempt to swim. It is plain, therefore, that the 



