372 The Bird 
or a nut, and, holding it in the foot while eating, turn 
it from side to side as we revolve an apple in our hand. 
With their claws they preen their plumage, and push each 
other aside when too closely crowded. In fact the functions 
of the feet and toes of parrots approach nearer to those 
of a human hand than the limb of any other Order of birds. 
Fig. 292.—Foot of Cuckoo, perching, and with toes outstretched. 
Cuckoos are perching birds, and when we see the skil- 
ful way in which they creep through a dense thicket, never 
missing their hold, we wonder why all perching birds do 
not have this arrangement of two toes in front and two 
behind. So completely are our theories set at naught 
that we should hardly be surprised to see a bird with 
one toe in front and three behind cheerfully hopping 
from branch to branch! In the deserts of the south- 
