Marge, In case you haven't yet received an answer from someone else, it is a "rete mirabile" that helps keep birds' feet from freezing: _http://www.birdnote.org/birdnote.cfm?id=491_ (http://www.birdnote.org/birdnote.cfm?id=491) Regards, Scott Diehl Richfield, Washington Co. In a message dated 2/8/2011 3:11:40 P.M. Central Standard Time, manderson@xxxxxxx writes: Hello WisBirders: I read somewhere that there is something about bird legs/feet that makes them able to tolerate the cold with their feet exposed. Now I can't remember what it was or where I read it. This topic came up in our office kitchen between me and a colleague who is raising urban chickens. I said I thought there would be many WisBirdnetters who would know the answer to this, and since our email traffic is low in this pre-migration period, it was a good time to toss it out there. Marge Anderson Dane (and Vilas) County #################### You received this email because you are subscribed to the Wisconsin Birding Network (Wisbirdn). To UNSUBSCRIBE or SUBSCRIBE, use the Wisbirdn web interface at: //www.freelists.org/list/wisbirdn. To set DIGEST or VACATION modes, use the Wisbirdn web interface at: //www.freelists.org/list/wisbirdn. Visit Wisbirdn ARCHIVES at: //www.freelists.org/archives/wisbirdn. #################### You received this email because you are subscribed to the Wisconsin Birding Network (Wisbirdn). To UNSUBSCRIBE or SUBSCRIBE, use the Wisbirdn web interface at: //www.freelists.org/list/wisbirdn. To set DIGEST or VACATION modes, use the Wisbirdn web interface at: //www.freelists.org/list/wisbirdn. Visit Wisbirdn ARCHIVES at: //www.freelists.org/archives/wisbirdn.