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." 



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