382 The Bird 
If we watch a duck as it settles itself for the night 
upon the snow, we will see it squat down, snuggle its 
beak deep among the feathers of the back, and finally 
draw up each foot from the frozen surface and tuck them 
up out of sight. Thus they are protected from freezing 
during the long, cold night. 
The pugnacity of the males of the Order of game- 
birds has become proverbial; almost all are “fighting 
cocks” and yet their beaks are not fitted for defence or 
Fic. 299.—Mallard asleep on the snow, with its feet drawn up to avoid freezing. 
offence, nor can they clutch and tear with their claws. 
But we find spurs developed on the tarsus, or upper 
foot, in fowls, turkeys, pheasants, and peacocks, which 
are used with remarkable skill in their battles. In 
structure these outgrowths are identical with the horns 
of antelopes and cows, consisting of a bony projection 
over which grows a sheath of horn. The spurs of the 
peacock are long and sharp and are occasionally used 
with such effect that the results are fatal to each of the 
contestants. A diminutive relative of Pavo, the Pea- 
