Page:Bird-lore Vol 08.djvu/78

 54 Bird- Lore OWL GRASPING MEAT Is it not rather disconcerting to find that this same arrangement of toes also holds good for the other orders of birds mentioned above, — the Parrots, Cuckoos and Owls, their toes also all pointing far apart? This is an excel- lent example of what is called par- allelism, or the independent devel- opment of similar structures. Parrots use their feet for more different purposes than any other birds — they are the monkeys of the feathered world. They climb wires or branches one step after the other, their beaks taking the place of a third foot in this style of loco- motion. They pick up food, such as a banana 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 feet 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 do the limbs of any other order of birds. The Owls can move their outer toes backward or forward at will, thus being able to assume the arrangement of toes both of a Crow and of a Par- rot. However, the yoke, or two and two plan, is the one most commonly seen among these birds. With such an automatic vise-trap ready to de- scend silently and with deadly swiftness upon him, the little mouse in the grass has indeed need ever to be on the alert. The talons of Owls are curved and under the control of tendons of great strength. Their chief use is to capture, living prey and to hold it firmly while it is torn to pieces by the beak. The deserts and plains where the Road -runner dwells are also the home of the Burrowing Owl, which finds in its sharp little talons admirable picks and shovels, — certainly a novel use for yoked - FOOT OF SNOWY OWL