BIRDS CLASSED FROM THE STRUCTURE OF THEIR TOES. 209 



claws. Thus the foot can adapt itself to any kind of surface, 

 and the bird possessing it can run upon the trunk or branch 

 of a tree in any direction upward, downward, across, or 

 obliquely. 



The habits of the birds correspond. The British yoke-toed 

 ones generally remain at places where there are insects, punch 

 holes in the trees with their bills, and draw out the insects 

 with their tongues, which can be far protruded, and are armed 

 for the purpose. The British birds of the other order run 

 over the bark with wonderful celerity, and pick out the 

 smaller insects with their bills. The habits of both are 

 exceedingly interesting. 



VOL. I. 



