EVOLUTION OF BIRDS. 3 
Bucephalus capensis ; in 1849, as Dendrophis pseudodipsas ; and 
Dispholidus typus is the name by which it is now known. The 
others are synonyms. 
THE EVOLUTION OF BIRDs. 
The birds of the present day do not seem to have anything 
in common with reptiles, and it would seem absurd to think they 
have evolved from such dissimilar creatures. However, it is 
generally believed that their remote ancestors were reptiles, 
because men of science have found the fossil remains of birds in 
various strata of rocks, which show them in the transition stages, 
half reptile and half bird. So close is the relationship between 
reptiles and birds that the late Professor Huxley says, ‘‘ Birds 
can be aptly termed modified reptiles.”’ 
Snakes can therefore claim relationship with our beautiful 
feathered friends. 
It would seem, that, many millions of years ago, some kinds 
of reptiles, owing doubtless to changes in their surroundings 
which made it difficult to procure a sufficiency of food, and being 
beset by enemies, were modified in their structure according to 
the great law which Darwin called the ‘‘ Law of the Survival of 
the Fittest.” As the long ages rolled past, these reptiles slowly 
but surely evolved into birds with feathers. Everything upon 
this earth seems to be subject to a great law of the Creator, which 
we term evolution. Even in the study of the science of Astro- 
nomy we find this great law at work. In everything upon this 
little speck we call Earth, as well as in the mighty Universe, it 
is quite apparent there is an intelligent, all-powerful Force or 
Will at the back, that great mysterious power—God the Creator. 
It is not for us to lay down dogmatically and ignorantly the law 
as to how the mighty Creator should or should not create what 
we see around us here, and in the heavens, by means of our 
physical senses. 
EVOLUTION OF REPTILES. 
Reptiles came into existence upon this earth long ages before 
the birds and mammals, which are both highly-evolved creatures, 
warm-blooded and possessing more highly specialized organs, 
