Feet and Legs 



377 



clearly in the appearance of its feet. Compare the feet 

 of a vulture (Fig. 296) with those of one of the true birds 

 of prey (Fig. 295). The muscles are weaker and the claws 

 are shorter, more blunt, and, as a result, the toes have lost 

 their clasping power, while the hind toe is higher and so 



FIG. 296. Feet of Vulture. (E. R. Sanborn, photographer.) 



small that it is of no use even in perching. Such is the 

 condition in the condor of South America. 



When in captivity an eagle is given a piece of meat, it 

 seizes the food in its talons and flies to some favourite 

 spot to devour it, but a condor transports its meal in 



