

A STUDY IN BIRDS' CLAWS, TALONS, AND FEET. 



IN my last two articles of this nature I endeavoured to shew 

 the interest that is awakened, and the diversity which exists, in 

 Birds' Beaks and Tails, but in the present instance another 

 extremity is chosen which is as equally instructive and interesting 

 their Claws, Talons, and Feet. 



One so often hears the remark even in this enlightened 

 age 'Was it a web-footed bird that you saw?' and the reply, 

 'What do you mean by web-footed?' that such an essay as 

 this should be particularly interesting to all those who are 

 unacquainted with the varying constructions of the feet of our 

 feathered pets. When brought together in the manner here set 

 forth a truly astonishing variance is noticeable so much so that 

 even the author, or the most cultivated Ornithologist, is apt 

 to exclaim, ' Wonderful 1 ' 



It is not my intention in this little sketch to attempt to 

 classify or systematise the orders to which the various subjects 

 that I propose to write of, belong, but to treat the matter in 

 a simple and interesting manner, so that all who read, and take 

 notice of my sketches, may understand. 



The bird-lover or student would naturally look in an article 

 of this character for the talons of an Eagle of some sort or 

 another, and thus it is that the first and foremost position is 

 given to one of the two Eagles now left to us in this Country 

 the Golden Eagle. Small wonder is it that this noble ornament 

 of the English landscape is able to carry away, aided by the 

 powerful talons here portrayed, hares, young lambs, rabbits, 

 grouse, and the like. This bold, high-spirited Eagle has even 

 been known to snatch a pig from some hard working labourer's 

 pig-stye, and bear it off to its voracious fledglings, which are 

 generally two in number. Children are often terrified at the 

 thought of an Eagle probably because of the somewhat ex- 



