INTRODUCTION

......Birds have been looked at as being both evil and heavenly creatures. For the ignorant they have been looked upon with fear, but mostly with wonder, admiration and beauty, all because of this groups ability of flight. While the evolution of bird flight continues to puzzle modern zoologists, the human species has continued efforts into out doing the birds.

.....Yes, Humans have been able to be air born, but this is only because of our understanding of forces and mechanics (physics). The only reason why the human species has been able to fly is by brut force. Aircraft engineers have tended to study the fixed wings of aeroplanes. But the bird's wing is flexible; birds can alter not only the size of the wing, but also its shape. This makes them fare more manoeuvrable and fare superior in the method of flight then use. For over one hundred years, palaeontologist have been trying to answer the questions of the origin(s), adaptations and developments of the bird group. With there dedication and effort in this venture, they have only recently come to a basic understanding of their origin, and only have a skeletal picture of the development of the different groups of birds. Beyond this there is major disagreements, which only means that more scientific research is needed.

......What is being attempted by this discussion; is to give a factual over all picture on the evolution of birds. It is the intention of this discussion not to cloud the facts with theories or ideas. It must be noted, that dew to the lack of understanding or rather the lack of "glue"(clues) too put the pieces of the puzzle together, in relation to the origin and evolution of the birds. Much theory or idea(s) has been put in place to give an easy/convent explanation for the origin(s) of this group. This last statement is not to make a mockery of the scientific community, or there inability and efforts of palaeontologist to find answers to these difficult questions, but rather opposite. It is the nature of science to inquire, find a fact(s), create a theory and test it. It is only the theories that survive the test of scrutiny and time, which are the once that become correct and may become common knowledge to created new questions. This process is not always prefect and this is why the evolution of birds is of great controversy. The different theories will be discussed, but not in great detail. It is the scientific mind of the individual that must make there own decision, with what they are given and must be open to new ideas and theories, not only from others, but from within ourselves.