192 Bird Comrades 



is known as the ankle joint by articulating with the 

 next long bone, which is commonly called the tarsus, 

 although the proper name would be really metatarsus. 

 It is not often that this bone is covered with flesh, and 

 therefore it seldom finds its way to the table. Properly 

 speaking, it is the larger part of the bird's foot, reaching 

 obliquely upward and backward from the roots of the toes 

 to the heel. If you will lift yourself upon your toes, holding 

 your heels in the air, you will be able to form a correct 

 idea of what the bird is doing whenever it stands or walks 

 or perches. 



The toes are fastened by means of well adapted joints 

 to the lower end of the tarsus, and form what is popularly 

 regarded as the bird's foot. When spoken of separately, 

 these toes are called digits, and when spoken of collect- 

 ively, they are called the podium. They are composed of 

 small bones called phalanges or internodes, which are 

 jointed' upon one another like the several parts of the 

 human fingers. The digits can be spread out for walking 

 purposes, or bent around so as to clasp an object. The 

 outer bone of each digit almost always bears a nail or 

 claw, which is sometimes very strong and hooked, as is 

 the case with the birds of prey, while in other species it 

 is only slightly curved and is not meant as a weapon 

 of offense or defense, but chiefly to enable the bird to 

 " scratch for a living." 



How do the birds, in perching and roosting, retain 

 their hold so long on a limb without becoming weary? 

 They do not need to make a conscious effort to do this, 



