42 Introduction. 



strong, others are light and delicate ; but all harmonize exactly 

 with the feet with which they terminate, and these present still 

 greater points of variety than the legs. The foot of a bird, 

 unlike that of a quadruped, is never composed of more than four 

 toes ; this is the most general number, and of these the first is 

 usually directed backwards, though in some cases the fourth is 

 also associated with it. There are other families which have but 

 three toes, and in that case all of them are directed forwards, the 

 first or hind toe being the one deficient. Again, there are birds 

 which have but two toes ; but as none of these last occur in this 

 country, we need not stop to consider their peculiarity. And 

 again, the toe may be united by a membrane, and that either 

 entirely, or in part ; or they may be wholly unconnected ; but 

 they are always terminated with claws, which present the varieties 

 of long and short, straight and curved, sharp and blunt ; but 

 these, together with many other points of difference, and the 

 reasons of them, and the suitability of the exact form of foot 

 with which every bird is provided, we shall more clearly see as 

 we go on to consider the orders and families in rotation. 



The ' Birds of Prey ' present a great general similarity in the 

 formation of the foot. It is always strong and muscular, fur- 

 nished with four powerful toes, and armed with claws more or 

 less hooked, and often of very formidable size, strength, and 

 sharpness. In the family of vultures the talons are not so much 

 displayed, as the habits of these ignoble birds require no weapon 

 for striking a blow to obtain their food, and no powers of grasping 

 for bearing it away in their feet to their young. Content with the 

 putrid carcase of some fallen animal, these unclean birds stuff 

 themselves with carrion, and carrying it in their craw to their 

 nests, there disgorge the unsavoury mess. But the falcons have 

 by their own prowess to secure their living prey, and so, in addi- 

 tion to very powerful limbs and great muscular strength, are 

 provided with sharp and generally much curved claws, enabling 

 them to strike down and hold securely the victims they have 

 seized. Like the carnivorous quadrupeds, these rapacious birds 

 can pounce so fiercely and with such exceeding violence with 



