Feet and Legs 385 
So, in the case of herons, webs would be superfluous, 
length of limb being thei only requirement. 
The Wood Ibises (or more properly Storks), which 
are more active searchers after food than the herons, 
make use of their toes to stir up the bottom mud of shal- 
Fie. 301.—Toes of Gallinule outstretched. 
low water, keeping the bill ready to snap up any small 
creatures thus disturbed. When one sees a flock of gal- 
linules or jacanas feeding quietly in their haunts they 
appear to be walking on the water, and we find an in- 
teresting connection between the structure of their feet 
and toes and certain tropical plants. Such are the 
