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 



FIG. 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 



