MOUNTAIN TREES 



on the watch begin to feed on the seed 

 of the pines. "These noisy seed-hunt- 

 ers/' says Ridgeway, "use their formid- 

 able claws to enable them to hang onto 

 the pine-cones while they are extract- 

 ing the seed which they are obliged to 

 get out from under scaly coverings. For 

 this nature has given them feet and 

 claws that serve the purpose of hands, 

 and a powerful bill like a small crow- 

 bar. The cone must be steadied when 

 they pry it open, or it would snap and 

 fall. One foot clasps it, and the power- 

 ful claws hold it firmly. The other foot, 

 encircling a branch, supports the bird in 

 every position, the long grasping claws 

 being equal to any emergency. The 

 cone is thus fixed and the seeds are 

 forced out from under the scales." 



48 



