Re: Archaeopteryx and Flight

[ornstn@hookup.net (Ronald Orenstein)]

>I agree with you on that, but wonder what the original purpose of feathers
>might have been. Thermal insulation seems obvious, but the best feathers
>for that purpose are downy - look at an ostrich - rather than rigid flight
>feathers. Physical protection is a possibility. I've already mentioned the
>self-healing characteristics; and I've heard of old Japanese feather armour
>which was surprisingly light and effective. I also recall hearing a
>suggestion that an armful of rigid feathers makes a good insect net.
>Perhaps some of the professionals out there could weigh in with current
>thoughts on this.
>
>Happy New Year to all.
>
>_____________________________
>Chas Bedford
>
As you point out, contour feathers probably developed for a different reason
from flight feathers - probably insulation.  Another theory for the
evolution of flight feathers - one I like personally - is their use as
display structures.  Their placement (on the arms if not the tail) seems
singularly ill-suited to their use  as traps (try catching something with
your elbows); but even modern flightless birds like the kagu and ostrich
have retained large wing-feathers, using them as display structures (as do
such flighted birds as the sunbittern and hoatzin, for example).
--
Ronald I. Orenstein                           Phone: (905) 820-7886 (home)
International Wildlife Coalition              Fax/Modem: (905) 569-0116 (home)
Home: 1825 Shady Creek Court                  Messages: (416) 368-4661
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L5L 3W2          Internet: ornstn@hookup.net
Office: 130 Adelaide Street W., Suite 1940    Compuserve ID: 72037,2513
Toronto, Ontario Canada M5H 3P5