Re: Life of Birds (vertical running)

["David Marjanovic" <david.marjanovic@gmx.at>]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Ken Kinman" <kinman@hotmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, October 10, 2001 5:23 AM


>        The initial development of feathers was probably simpler, something
> that diverted the attention of the predator toward the distal portion of
the
> tail (which was more expendable)

Not in a biped, I'd still say.

> But in the meantime, exaptation for
> brooding would have driven the evolution of feathers from just the tail,
> forward to the back and arms as well.

Brooding is used as an explanation for the evolution of _wing_ feathers
(rectrices -- primaries and secondaries), not that of feathers in general
(whatever protofeathers, contour feathers...). I for my part wouldn't try to
mix these up. Insulation is still a very good reason why feathers, _if_ they
didn't start on the whole body, are found all over it in all sufficiently
known feathered animals.