Encyclopaedia of Birds

Of all the animals the birds are the best known and most early recognised. The study of comparative anatomy and of the fossil evidence of ancient life has convinced zoologists that birds are unquestionably descended from reptiles. "Birds are glorified reptiles" and many zoologists have preferred to combine birds and reptiles in a single class the Sauropsida which means reptile like animals. The birds are far more reptilians in their organisation than the mammals. The evolution of feather presuma