J5 WALKING AND PERCHING. 



absence of the connecting membrane at the bases of 

 the toes, and also from the toes themselves having 

 more play at their articulations. But the very same 

 circumstances render it much more efficient as a 

 perching foot ; and while the gallinaceous birds can, 

 in general, only roost across a perch of considerable 

 thickness, many of the free-toed birds can hang in 

 all positions, and by one foot or both, as need may 

 be, from a slender vibrating stem. 



Rook ami Blue Tit. 



Generally speaking, the omnivorous birds are the 

 best walkers, and those which eat small seeds from 

 the stems of plants the best perchers ; but there are 

 exceptions. The rook is one of the best walkers ; 

 and the tits are among the most dexterous perchers : 

 so that their feet may be taken as examples. 



FEET BETTER ADAPTED FOR PERCHING THAN 

 WALKING. 



Birds with feet of this description are generally those 

 tribes, wholly or chiefly insectivorous, which seek their 

 food partly on the ground and partly on the leaves 

 of trees, which are generally seen on trees and 

 bushes, but which perch generally, and have no pecu- 



