Re: Archaeopteryx and Flight

[ornstn@hookup.net (Ronald Orenstein)]

>Please excuse this interjection by one totally unqualified to comment, 
>and this may be purely anecdotal, but, large, flightless birds, such as 
>the ostrich and bustard, use their wings to help guide and direct 
>themselves while running.  (It is mentioned by Xenophon in _ANABASIS_.)
>
>
>Tracy <monaghan@cac.washington.edu>
>Information Highway Worker
>University of Washington
>Seattle, Washington
>
Pace Xenophon, but this is not exactly so.  The  wings are extended during
running primarily in display.  In fact most cursorial birds keep their wings
folded during running; to do otherwise  would increase drag and add lift,
making running harder, not easier.
--
Ronald I. Orenstein                           Phone: (905) 820-7886 (home)
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