Re: Origin of feathers

[Dinogeorge <Dinogeorge@aol.com>]

In a message dated 98-04-28 02:37:07 EDT, Patrick.Norton@state.me.us writes:

<< Nature   repeatedly shows us many ways to solve a problem. We know of three
very   different solutions to flight, for example. >>


Flight is not a "problem" for Nature to "solve." Nature doesn't say, "We must
have flying things on this planet. So, how can we create birds?" Nature
doesn't say anything. Flight is an ability that arises from time to time in
populations of animals (not just birds, pterosaurs, and bats, by the way, but
also in insects, fish, snakes, frogs, and so forth). It proves beneficial to
the animals and is therefore positively selected and made more efficient as
the animals evolve.