0 
EEAUTirUL EIKDS. 
twine each other at the extremities of larger houghs. 
The bird has to make its AYay through this tangled 
brake by means of its prehensile limbs alone, as its 
Avings Avould evidently be of little service here. Con- 
sequently the organization most essential to this 
habit is the one AA’liich enables it to get most readily 
from tAvig to twig without the use of its wings in any 
otlier AA^ay than partially opened, to assist in keeping 
its balance. 
The foot, to possess this property, must have the 
Avhole of its prehensile action in the toes; and the 
legs, instead of mauitaining one invariable position in 
assisting the foot in holding on (as is the case with the 
Woodpecker), must be free to move to its utmost 
stretcli in all directions. It is also evident that unless 
the Parrot could hold on by one foot, and hold on Avith 
that foot in any direction, above it, heloAV it, or laterally, 
it could not make its way.* 
To accomplish these 
piu’poses, the joints in 
the leg and foot of the 
Parrot have a rolUng or 
oblique motion in all 
directions, particularly 
outAvards, as that is the 
position most required 
for readily laying ‘hold 
with one foot, while the 
other retains its grasp. 
It is on account of this peculiar adaptation of the 
leet to the climbing habits of the bird that the gene- 
* Mudie’s Katural History of Birds. 
