EVOLUTION OF BIRDS. 3 



Dendrophis pseudodipsas ; but Dispholidus typus is the name by 

 which it is now known. The others are synonyms. 



Evolution. 



The birds of the present day do not seem to have anytliing 

 in common with reptiles, and it would seem absurd to think they 

 have evolved from such dissimilar creatures. However, it is 

 now known 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 correctly termed glorified reptiles." 



Snakes can therefore claim relationship with our beautiful 

 feathered friends. 



It would seem that, many milhons 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 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 why 

 the mighty Creator should or should not create what we see 

 around us here, and in the heavens. 



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, 

 nervous systems and brains than the reptiles. In the very early 

 strata of sedimentary rocks, laid down millions of years ago, 

 and known in science as the Cambrian System, we find the fossil 

 remains of very low forms of backboneless creatures, such as 

 worms, jelly-fish, molluscs, etc. Then, as we ascend into the 

 strata of rocks known as the Ordovician Silurian Systems, we 



