Then, too, you may find webbed feet which have a new story to tell. You may find a webbed foot, quite small, with a very long leg. The web goes only part way to the toe nail. That bird could not swim. No. He was a wading bird. His long stilt-like legs held his body above the water, while he watched for his fish food. The webs in his feet served, not to make him a paddle-foot, but just to keep him from sinking in the soft sand or mud. Or you may find the webs changed to broad flaps on each toe. Now turn to the hen. Is her beak made for digging in mud, under water? No. Her short, strong beak is for picking up grain or insects from the ground. Now see what feet she has to match this beak. She has walking feet. Her feet are large and strong, with separate toes and strong nails. How does she use her feet? She spends nearly all her time scratching and digging in the ground. She scratches up the earth with her toes. She finds insects, worms, larvæ, and such things, to eat. Once more look at a beak. Take the swallow’s short, wide, widely opening beak. Watch the swallow as he flies. Now up, now down! Now here, now there! He wheels, he makes a dash! He feeds upon the wing. He eats insects. See that short, broad mouth, which opens as wide as his whole head, and shows his big yellow throat. Is it not just the thing for catching insects? The swallow sweeps after the insect, and into that open throat it goes! What story will this beak tell? The story of a bird made for flying fast and far. The story of a bird built to wheel and turn quickly. It must have large wings, a very light body. As its head is so wide, it must be flat, or it will be too large. This bird does not need to walk. Its food is in the air. Its legs and feet will be very small. Its toes will be long, and made for holding or clinging to trees or roofs. Its feathers must be close set; and its tail be well shaped for a rudder. Suppose some one shows you the foot of an ostrich. It is a huge foot, with two great toes. You will say at once “that is a walking foot.” It is not to be carried into the air. These great toes are not for digging, but for walking or running. Look at the soles of these toes. They are cushioned or padded thick. That bird must live where the soil is soft, and these padded feet will keep him from sinking. Yes, he lived on the desert sand. He is the largest bird in the world. He can run faster than a horse. Such a bird could not be lifted into the air on wings. He has short, stout wings, which he flaps as he runs, and as they have large feathers on them, they catch the air as sails do, and so help him along. His bill is like a huge hen’s bill. He eats melons, grass, and grain. These are some of the stories told by beaks and feet. LESSON XXX. TREE, GROUND, AND WATER BIRDS.