374 The Bird 
claws, and even the soles of the feet are thickly covered, 
so that the skin of the bird is never in contact with the 
snow and ice on which it roosts. 
The osprey, or fish-hawk, can, like the owls, reverse 
its outer toe, but all typical hawks and eagles have the 
Fic. 293.—Owl gripping a piece of meat. 
perching-bird arrangement. The talons of the osprey 
are immensely strong, and the scales on the soles of its 
feet and toes are hardened and roughened to such a degree 
that they are almost spike-like. A more efficient fish- 
trap cannot be imagined. The Golden Eagle has a splendid 
foot, with great curved talons, which, when they have 
