EXTERNAL ANATOMY. TOES. 
121 
(111.) We may now pass on to those feet which are 
furnished with four toes, where we have three distinct 
variations from the ordinary position: 1. when there 
are two before and two behind ; 2. when the exterior 
toe is more or less versatile, and may be brought for- 
ward if required, although it is usually directed back- 
wards; and, 3. when all the four toes are directed 
forward. Of the first there arc several important modi- 
fications, as seen in the trogons, parrots, and wood- 
peckers ; the second structure is versatile, and is 
general among the puif birds and the cuckows , the 
third is of rare occurrence, and is only seen in the 
swifts, the colys, and the cormorants. It has been 
customary to call all feet Scaimrlal, which have the 
toes placed in pairs, that is, two before and two behind : 
hence has originated the error, fallen into both by MM. 
Cuvier and Temminck, of classing many birds with 
the true climbers, which have not, in their natural 
economy, the least aftinity with the Scansorial tribe, 
'fhere are, in fact, no less than five different variations 
in those feet which have the toes disposed in pairs, each 
lieing accompanied by a corresponding difference of 
lunction. It is important, therefore, that these should 
lie named and defined. First, then, we have a pro- 
hsnsile foot, as seen in the parrot family : here the 
soles are remarkably broad, and the toes divided to their 
origin ; the two exterior toes are the longest, one of 
which is decidedly in front, while the other, although 
almost always directed backwards, can nevertheless be 
brought half way in front, so as to make a curve out- 
wards ; thus, if a parrot w.as to grasp a perfectly round 
fruit, its four toes would hold it at tour points of its 
circumference, and at tour equal distances : thus it is 
that these birds have the most varied powers of pre- 
hension in their feet of any of the Scanmres ; for ^ i®" 
assisted by their bill, they can not only climb, but teei 
with their feet, this latter faculty being denied to all 
other groujis. The toucans, cuckows, and putt in s, 
have the arrangement of the toes like unto the parrots, 
