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. 



PIG. 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- 



