Re: Yixian dinosaurs press conference

[Thom Quinn <swo@execpc.com>]

These new fossils do give some good ground for the informational origin
of feathers (and the display hypothesis) to stand on.

The sexual dimorphism of Confuciusornis (along with the two very long,
male tail feathers) certainly implies that displays were important early
in bird evolution.

The long press release by National Geographic says: 

"Convinced they had a new species, the scientists named it          
Caudipteryx ??tail feather?? for the tall plumes that the creature     
likely fanned for display."