THE BIRD: ITS PARTS, VOICE, AND COLOR 257 
Some shore birds, like the Sandpipers, have merely a narrow 
strip of webbing along the edges of the toes to help hold them 
up when walking over soft mud. 
The Claws. — The toes of birds are provided with sharp 
nails or claws varying greatly in length and strength. On 
birds of prey they are especially large and strong and are 
i] 
BSS 
po V 
Pi co 
ot ord 
Some Tyres oF WEBBED FEET 
a, Membrane along the sides of the toes forming escalloped margins or 
“lobes.” Example, the mudhen. 6, Narrow border along the edges of the 
toes; sometimes a web also connects the base of the toes. Example, the snipes. 
c, All four toes joined by a web. Example, the pelicans. d, The three front 
toes joined by a web. Example, the ducks. 
called talons. In case of the Longspurs and the Horned 
Lark, the claw on the hind toe is very long and almost 
straight. 
THE TAIL 
Use of the Tail. — The chief office of the tail is to serve as a 
rudder to steer the bird in flight, but Woodpeckers, Chimney 
Swifts, and Creepers also use it in climbing and in supporting 
the body while resting against the upright surface of trees 
and other objects. 
Its Length has much to do with the manner of flight. Short- 
tailed birds like Prairie Chickens cannot make sharp turns, 
and they fly in a comparatively straight course, while long- 
tailed birds like Hawks and Barn Swallows can change the 
direction of their flight with ease and grace. 
