Wonders of the Bird World 



Thus a problem of great interest is at once suggested, of 

 which I speak more fully in a subsequent chapter on the 

 ' Geographical Distribution of Birds.' 



Figure of the Arch^BOJ'tcyyx. 

 From a picture by W. P. Pycraft. 



Ai5>' 



Certainly one of the most wonderful of birds must have 

 been the ArclicEopteryx, an archaic type of the Jurassic 

 ^^_ age, and known only from the fossil 



remains of two specimens discovered 

 in the lithographic slate of Solenhofen 

 in Bavaria. Like several other ancient 

 forms of bird life, the Archccoptcryx,ox 

 Lizard-tailed bird, possessed actual 

 teeth, and it had a very reptilian- 

 looking head. That it was a real bird, however, is proved 

 by the impression of the feathers which are to be seen 



Kead of A rchi^optcryx. 



