xxxiv Il^TRODUCTIQN 



domesticated races of Pigeons and Fowls. In some 

 birds a delicate skin takes the place of scales. 



The claws of birds vary greatly in shape, according 

 to whether they play any part or not in the capture 

 of the food. Thus they may attain a relatively enor- 

 mous size in Birds of Prey, where the claw of the 

 hind- toe is especially large; here the feet are used to 

 hold living prey securely. Some species, indeed, as 

 the Goshawk, for instance, kill their prey by means 

 of the feet and claws. In the Jacanas, birds of the 

 Plover tribe, the claws attain an enormous length, 

 forming long, pointed rods, which with their tremen- 

 dously long toes serve to enable them to walk on the 

 delicate floating weeds of the rivers which these birds 

 haunt. In some other birds, as for example in the 

 Cassowary, the claws may be used as a weapon of 

 offence. In this bird the inner claw is of great size 

 and strength and is capable of inflicting a very dan- 

 gerous wound. 



In many of the Grouse tribe the claws are shed each 

 spring; though in some, as in the Black Grouse, the 

 shedding is confined to the ragged fringe along the 

 inner side of the claws. This fringe, by-the-bye, re- 

 calls the fact that the middle claw in many birds, as 

 the Bam Owl, Nightjar, and Herons, for instance, 

 has a curious series of little teeth running along its 

 outer edge ; but so far no one has been able to tender 

 any suggestion as to what purpose it may serve. 



Finally we must find space for a brief reference to 

 the formidable weapons which many birds possess in 

 the shape of spurs. These are generally confined to 

 the legs, and may be represented by a pair only, as 



