Hawk anatomy - legs?

Question

What is the scaly stuff on a hawk's leg (the unfeathered part) called/made of?

Answer 1

They are scales. Birds are descended from dinosaurs, hence the scales. Some Dinosaurs also had feathers, so birds also have feathers because they descended from those Dinosaurs.

Answer 2

Yes, and the scales are the thick outer layer of the skin (epidermis), containing beta-keratin, which is also found in reptile scales.  http://www.bioone.org/perlserv/?request=...