Re: Hou, 2000

["Mickey_Mortimer11" <Mickey_Mortimer11@email.msn.com>]

Tracy L. Ford wrote-

>> Hou Lianhai (2000): Zhong1guo2 gu3 niao3 ? ? ? = Picture Book of Chinese
>> Fossil Birds
>
> Why not just buy the book? It's not that expensive. You can order it on
> line.

Because it has the most horrible skeletal reconstructions of birds I've ever
seen.  Besides these, it consists of are basic fact files and inaccurate
diagnoses of Chinese taxa, with life restorations that were done by a
skilled artist who was hampered by having to rely on the skeletal
reconstructions for his illustrations.  The skeleton of Jibeinia doesn't
even have the coracoid anywhere close to contacting the sternum!  It's
laying along the outside of the ribcage!  You wouldn't think the artist had
even seen a bird skeleton.  I can send a scan to anyone who wants a laugh.
:-)

Mickey Mortimer