256 POULTRY AND WILD BIRDS 
Parrots. The Owls enjoy the advantage of another arrange- 
ment ; although three of their toes point forward, one of them 
is reversible, so that in grasping an object the bird may put 
two toes on either side of it. 
The hind toe is subject to the greatest number of varia- 
tions. Sometimes it is as long as the other toes, and some- 
times it is barely visible or entirely absent; between these 
extremes we find all possible gradations. All our domestic 
chickens have a short hind toe and, as in case of other birds 
Some TypEs oF FEET 
a, Perching birds; 6, birds of prey; c, domestic hen; d, flicker and most 
other woodpeckers. 
with such a toe, it is attached considerably above the level of 
the front toes. 
Webbed Feet. — Swimming birds usually have their toes 
connected by a web, or tough, flexible membrane, which 
makes of the foot a better paddle. In some families this web 
connects only the basal portions of the toes, as in the Grebes, 
in others it extends to the claws. Usually only three toes are 
connected, as in the Duck family, but in some cases all four 
toes are fully webbed (as in Pelicans and Cormorants). 
Sometimes the toes have only a stiff, spreading membrane or 
web along the sides, usually with scalloped edges (e.g., 
Mudhens). The toes are then said to be “ lobed.’”? When 
only the basal parts of the toes are connected with the web the 
rest of the toes may be lobed ; that is the case with the Grebes. 
