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Re: More Holtz on the origin of birds

 From: Dinogeorge@aol.com
 > In a message dated 95-12-07 12:10:26 EST, Thomas_R_HOLTZ@umail.umd.edu (th81)
 > writes:
 > >One branch of this clade, composed of the smaller members, were
 > >scansorial predators.  This lineage includes Archaeopteryx.  ...
 > 
 > Methinks the step from grapple-and-slash to flight was way too radical for
 > this scenario. Where do the feathers come in?
 > 
Note the word *scansorial* here,  flight came from branch-to-branch
leaping.

Feathers may have started as insulation (in a more hair-like form).

swf@elsegundoca.attgis.com              sarima@netcom.com

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