| Recently, a 140-million-year-old fossil called | | | | by numerous, successive, slight, modifications, my |
| Shenzhouraptor sinensis was discovered in the Yixian | | | | theory would absolutely break down." (10) |
| region of China. According to the evolutionary | | | | Bird Feathers and Reptile Scales |
| paleontologist Ji Qiang, this fossil was a missing link | | | | Another impassable gap between birds and reptiles is |
| between dinosaurs and birds. The fact is, however, | | | | feathers, which are peculiar to birds. Reptile bodies |
| that this fossil possesses features that clash with the | | | | are covered with scales, a completely different |
| evolutionists' claims about the origin of birds. Not just | | | | structure. The hypothesis that bird feathers evolved |
| this fossil, but also the whole body of paleontological | | | | from reptile scales is completely unfounded, and is |
| data on the subject is at odds with the evolutionary | | | | indeed disproved by the fossil record, as the |
| theory. "The evolution of birds", like other claims | | | | evolutionist paleontologist Barbara Stahl once |
| made by Darwinism, is no more scientific than a fairy | | | | admitted: |
| tale. | | | | How [feathers] arose initially, presumably from |
| Shenzhouraptor sinensis, The Impossible Transitional | | | | reptiles scales, defies analysis... It seems, from the |
| Form | | | | complex construction of feathers, that their evolution |
| Evolutionists suggest that Shenzhouraptor sinensis | | | | from reptilian scales would have required an immense |
| was a transitional form that was able to fly and | | | | period of time and involved a series of intermediate |
| possessed both bird and dinosaur characteristics. This | | | | structures. So far, the fossil record does not bear |
| is, however, is in contradiction to other evolutionist | | | | out that supposition. (11) |
| claims on the origin of birds. | | | | A. H. Brush, a professor of physiology and |
| Archaeopteryx, the oldest known bird, lived 150 | | | | neurobiology at the University of Connecticut, |
| million years ago and is in many respects no different | | | | accepts this fact, although he is himself an |
| from flying birds living today. Shenzhouraptor sinensis, | | | | evolutionist: "Every feature from gene structure and |
| however, lived 140 million years ago, making it | | | | organization, to development, morphogenesis and |
| younger than Archaeopteryx. For that reason, it is | | | | tissue organization is different [in feathers and |
| impossible for it to be a transitional form, because | | | | scales]." (12) Moreover, Professor Brush examines the |
| birds with perfect feathers and the necessary | | | | protein structure of bird feathers and argues that it is |
| anatomical structure for flight were living before it. | | | | "unique among vertebrates." (13) |
| Archaeopteryx: Recent work shows it to be | | | | There is no fossil evidence to prove that bird |
| "much more birdlike than previously imagined". | | | | feathers evolved from reptile scales. On the contrary, |
| At this point, we need to make it clear that the | | | | feathers appear suddenly in the fossil record, |
| evolutionist claims regarding Archaeopteryx, on of | | | | Professor Brush observes, as an "undeniably unique" |
| the principle icons of the theory of evolution for the | | | | character distinguishing birds. (14) Besides, in reptiles, |
| last 100 years or so, have lost a great deal of their | | | | no epidermal tissue has yet been detected that |
| validity. It has been realized that this creature was a | | | | provides a starting point for bird feathers. (15) |
| flying bird, possessing a flawless flight mechanism. | | | | Many fossils have so far been the subject of |
| Attempts to compare Archaeopteryx to a reptile | | | | "feathered dinosaur" speculation, but detailed study |
| have failed entirely. | | | | has always disproved it. Alan Feduccia once wrote |
| As Alan Feduccia, one of the leading ornithologists in | | | | the following in an article called "On Why Dinosaurs |
| the world, has stated, "Most recent workers who | | | | Lacked Feathers": |
| have studied various anatomical features of | | | | Feathers are features unique to birds, and there are |
| Archaeopteryx have found the creature to be much | | | | no known intermediate structures between reptilian |
| more birdlike than previously imagined," and "the | | | | scales and feathers. Notwithstanding speculations on |
| resemblance of Archaeopteryx to theropod dinosaurs | | | | the nature of the elongated scales found on such |
| has been grossly overestimated." (1) | | | | forms as Longisquama (discovered 1969 Russia) ... as |
| Another problem regarding Archaeopteryx is that the | | | | being featherlike structures, there is simply no |
| theropod dinosaurs, which many evolutionists suggest | | | | demonstrable evidence that they in fact are. (16) |
| were Archaeopteryx' ancestors, actually emerge | | | | More recently, Feduccia, quoting Brush, has the |
| after it in the fossil record, not before it. This, of | | | | following passage on the origin of feathers: |
| course, leaves no room for any "evolutionary family | | | | Even birds' most scalelike features-the leg scutes |
| tree" to account for the origin of birds. | | | | (scales), claws, and the epidermally derived beak-are |
| The Squabbling Evolutionists | | | | formed from a single category of protein, the |
| The reason for the "dino-bird" and "feathered | | | | -keratins. As Alan Brush has written regarding feather |
| dinosaur" stories that frequently appear in the | | | | development, "The genes that direct synthesis of |
| evolutionist press is simply an effort on their part to | | | | the avian -keratins represent a significant divergence |
| show that their claim that birds evolved from | | | | from those of their reptilian ancestor."(17) (Note that |
| dinosaurs has been proven by fossil discoveries. The | | | | the authors assume a reptilian ancestor for birds, but |
| fact is, however, that none of these fossils has | | | | accept the genetic gap between these.) |
| offered any scientific evidence at all for that claim. | | | | National Geographic's great hit, the perfect "dino-bird" |
| What is more, many evolutionists do not believe it | | | | Archaeoraptor soon turned out to be a hoax. All |
| either. For instance, renowned ornithologists Alan | | | | other "dino-bird" candidates remain as speculation. |
| Feduccia and Larry Martin believe that it is totally an | | | | All news about "dino-birds" is speculative. Many claims |
| erroneous scenario. A college textbook, | | | | on the subject have turned out to false. For |
| Developmental Biology reads: | | | | example, the "feathered dinosaur" claim that was put |
| Not all biologists believe that birds are dinosaurs... This | | | | forward in 1996 with a great media fanfare was also |
| group of scientists emphasize the differences | | | | disproved soon. A reptilian fossil called |
| between dinosaurs and birds, claiming that the | | | | Sinosauropteryx was found in China, but |
| differences are too great for the birds to have | | | | paleontologists who examined the fossil said that it |
| evolved from earlier dinosaurs. Alan Feduccia, and | | | | had bird feathers, unlike modern reptiles. Examinations |
| Larry Martin, for instance, contend that birds could | | | | conducted one year later, however, showed that the |
| not have evolved from any known group of | | | | fossil actually had no structure similar to a bird's |
| dinosaurs. They argue against some of the most | | | | feather. (18) |
| important cladistic data and support their claim from | | | | Every other fossil that has been put forward as |
| developmental biology and biomechanics. (2) | | | | "feathered dinosaur" in the last 10 years is debatable. |
| Feduccia has this to say regarding the thesis of | | | | Detailed studies have revealed that the structures |
| reptile-bird evolution: | | | | suggested to have been "feathers" are actually |
| Well, I've studied bird skulls for 25 years and I don't | | | | collagen fibers.(19) The speculations in fact stems |
| see any similarities whatsoever. I just don't see it... | | | | from evolutionist prejudice and wishful thinking. As |
| The theropod origins of birds, in my opinion, will be | | | | Feduccia says, "Many dinosaurs have been portrayed |
| the greatest embarrassment of paleontology of the | | | | with a coating of aerodynamic contour feathers with |
| 20th century. (3) | | | | absolutely no documentation."(20) (One of the |
| Larry Martin, a specialist in ancient birds from the | | | | "feathered dinosaurs" in question, namely |
| University of Kansas, also opposes the theory that | | | | Archaeoraptor, proved to be a fossil forgery). |
| birds are descended from dinosaurs. Discussing the | | | | Feduccia sums the position up in these terms: "Finally, |
| contradiction that evolution falls into on the subject, | | | | no feathered dinosaur has ever been found, although |
| he states: | | | | many dinosaur mummies with well-preserved skin are |
| To tell you the truth, if I had to support the dinosaur | | | | known from diverse localities." (21) |
| origin of birds with those characters, I'd be | | | | The Design of Feathers |
| embarrassed every time I had to get up and talk | | | | Another problem for the evolutionists is the fact that |
| about it. (4) | | | | there is such a complex design in bird feathers that |
| The disagreement amongst evolutionists themselves | | | | the phenomenon can never be accounted for |
| stems from the fact that there is no evidence | | | | without referring to intelligent design. As we all know, |
| supporting an evolutionary origin for birds. They can | | | | there is a long, stiff part that runs up the center of |
| only build up speculations, just-so stories which are | | | | the feather. Attached to the shaft are the vanes. |
| imposed on the public, misleadingly, as "scientific | | | | The vane is made up of small thread-like strands, |
| theories". | | | | called barbs. These barbs, of different lengths and |
| The Significant Structural Differences Between Birds | | | | rigidity, are what give the flying bird its aerodynamic |
| And Dinosaurs | | | | nature. But what is even more interesting is that |
| Most evolutionists hold that birds evolved from small | | | | each barb has thousands of even smaller strands |
| theropod dinosaurs. However, a comparison between | | | | attached to them called barbules. The barbules are |
| birds and such reptiles reveals that the two have | | | | connected to barbicels, with tiny microscopic hooks, |
| very distinct features, making it unlikely that one | | | | called hamuli. Each strand is hooked to an opposing |
| evolved from the other. | | | | strand, much like the hooks of a zipper. |
| There are various structural differences between | | | | On just one crane feather, there are up to 650 hairs |
| birds and reptiles, one of which concerns bone | | | | on the central tube. Each one of these is covered |
| structure. Due to their bulky natures, dinosaurs-the | | | | with some 650 tinier hairs. And these tiny hairs are |
| ancestors of birds according to evolutionists-had | | | | linked together by 350 hooks. The hooks come |
| thick, solid bones. Birds, in contrast, whether living or | | | | together like the two sides of a zipper. If the hooks |
| extinct, have hollow bones that are very light, as | | | | come apart for any reason, it is sufficient for the bird |
| they must be in order for flight to take place. | | | | to shake itself, or, in more serious cases, to |
| Another difference between reptiles and birds is their | | | | straighten its feathers out with its beak, for the |
| metabolic structure. Reptiles have the slowest | | | | feathers to return to their previous positions. |
| metabolic structure in the animal kingdom. (The claim | | | | To claim that the complex design in feathers could |
| that dinosaurs had a warm-blooded fast metabolism | | | | have come about by the evolution of reptile scales |
| remains a speculation.) Birds, on the other hand, are | | | | through chance mutations is quite simply a dogmatic |
| at the opposite end of the metabolic spectrum. For | | | | belief with no scientific foundation. Even one of the |
| instance, the body temperature of a sparrow can | | | | doyens of Darwinism, Ernst Mayr, made this |
| rise to as much as 48°C (118°F) due to its fast | | | | confession on the subject some years ago: |
| metabolism. On the other hand, reptiles lack the ability | | | | It is a considerable strain on one's credulity to |
| to regulate their body temperature. Instead, they | | | | assume that finely balanced systems such as certain |
| expose their bodies to sunlight in order to warm up. | | | | sense organs (the eye of vertebrates, or the bird's |
| Put simply, reptiles consume the least energy of all | | | | feather) could be improved by random mutations. |
| animals and birds the most. | | | | (22) |
| Yet, despite all the scientific findings, the groundless | | | | The design of feathers also compelled Darwin to |
| scenario of "dinosaur-bird evolution" is still insistently | | | | ponder them. Moreover, the perfect aesthetics of |
| advocated. Popular publications are particularly fond of | | | | the peacock's feathers had made him "sick" (his own |
| the scenario. Meanwhile, concepts which provide no | | | | words). In a letter he wrote to Asa Gray on April 3, |
| backing for the scenario are presented as evidence | | | | 1860, he said, "I remember well the time when the |
| for "dinosaur-bird evolution." | | | | thought of the eye made me cold all over, but I |
| In some popular evolutionist publications, for instance, | | | | have got over this stage of complaint..." And then |
| emphasis is laid on the differences among dinosaur | | | | continued: "... and now trifling particulars of structure |
| hip bones to support the thesis that birds are | | | | often make me very uncomfortable. The sight of a |
| descended from dinosaurs. These differences exist | | | | feather in a peacock's tail, whenever I gaze at it, |
| between dinosaurs classified as Saurischian | | | | makes me sick!" (23) |
| (reptile-like, hip-girdled dinosaurs) and Ornithischian | | | | In short, the enormous structural differences |
| (bird-like, hip-girdled dinosaurs). This concept of | | | | between bird feathers and reptile scales, and the |
| dinosaurs having hip girdles similar to those of birds is | | | | astonishingly complex-and beautiful-design of |
| sometimes wrongly conceived as evidence for the | | | | feathers, clearly demonstrate the invalidity of the |
| alleged dinosaur-bird link. However, the difference in | | | | claim that feathers evolved from scales through blind |
| hip girdles is no evidence at all for the claim that birds | | | | natural mechanisms. |
| evolved from dinosaurs. That is because, surprisingly | | | | Conclusion |
| for the evolutionist, Ornithischian dinosaurs do not | | | | The "dino-bird" stories that appear in the evolutionist |
| resemble birds with respect to other anatomical | | | | press consist of biased analyses by evolutionist |
| features. For instance, Ankylosaurus is a dinosaur | | | | palaeontologists, and sometimes even of distortions |
| classified as Ornithischian, with short legs, a giant | | | | of the truth. (In fact, one of the best-known |
| body, and skin covered with scales resembling armor. | | | | "dino-bird" discoveries, the Archaeoraptor portrayed |
| On the other hand, Struthiomimus, which resembles | | | | by National Geographic as incontrovertible proof of |
| birds in some of its anatomical features (long legs, | | | | bird evolution, turned out to be a forgery produced |
| short forelegs, and thin structure), is actually a | | | | by combining fossils of five separate specimens). The |
| Saurischian. (5) | | | | "dino-bird" fossils in question are either those of |
| The Unique Structure of Avian Lungs | | | | extinct species of bird or of dinosaurs, and not one |
| Another factor demonstrating the impossibility of the | | | | of them represents a "missing link" between birds |
| reptile-bird evolution scenario is the structure of avian | | | | and dinosaurs. In fact, as we have seen above, it is |
| lungs, which cannot be accounted for by evolution. | | | | impossible for dinosaurs to have evolved into birds |
| Land-dwelling creatures have lungs with a | | | | and assumed bird characteristics by means of chance |
| two-directional flow structure. Upon inhaling, the air | | | | mutations. |
| travels through the passages in the lungs (bronchial | | | | Thus the "dino-bird" hype that rages through the |
| tubes), ending in tiny air sacs (alveoli). The exchange | | | | media consists of nothing more than a last-ditch |
| of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place here. | | | | attempt to shore up the collapsed theory of |
| Then, upon exhaling, this used air makes its way | | | | evolution. However, science and reason will always |
| back and finds its way out of the lung by the same | | | | prevail over such misconceptions. |
| route. | | | | LATEST EVIDENCE: OSTRICH STUDY REFUTES THE |
| In birds however, air follows just one direction | | | | DINO-BIRD STORY |
| through the lungs. The entry and exit orifices are | | | | Dr. Feduccia: His new study is enough to bury the |
| completely different, and thanks to special air sacs all | | | | 'dino-bird" myth. |
| along the passages between them, air always flows | | | | The latest blow to the "birds evolved from dinosaurs" |
| in one direction through the avian lung. In this way, | | | | theory came from a study made on the embryology |
| birds are able to take in air nonstop. This satisfies | | | | of ostriches. |
| birds' high energy requirements. Michael Denton, an | | | | Drs. Alan Feduccia and Julie Nowicki of the University |
| Australian biochemist and a well-known critic of | | | | of North Carolina at Chapel Hill studied a series of live |
| Darwinism, explains the avian lung in this way: | | | | ostrich eggs and, once again, concluded that, there |
| This one-directional flow of air is maintained in | | | | can not be an evolutionary link between birds and |
| breathing in and breathing out by a complex system | | | | dinosaurs. EurekAlert, a scientific portal held by the |
| of interconnected air sacs in the bird's body, which | | | | American Association for the The Advancement of |
| expand and contract in such a way as to ensure a | | | | Science (AAAS), reports the following: |
| continuous delivery of air through the parabronchi… | | | | Drs. Alan Feduccia and Julie Nowicki of the University |
| The structure of the lung in birds, and the overall | | | | of North Carolina at Chapel Hill... opened a series of |
| functioning of the respiratory system, are quite | | | | live ostrich eggs at various stages of development |
| unique. No lung in any other vertebrate species in any | | | | and found what they believe is proof that birds could |
| way approaches the avian system. Moreover, in its | | | | not have descended from dinosaurs"... |
| essential details it is identical in birds. (6) | | | | Whatever the ancestor of birds was, it must have |
| The important thing is that the reptile lung, with its | | | | had five fingers, not the three-fingered hand of |
| dual-direction air flow, could not have evolved into | | | | theropod dinosaurs," Feduccia said... "Scientists agree |
| the bird lung with its single-direction flow, because it is | | | | that dinosaurs developed 'hands' with digits one, two |
| not possible for there to have been an intermediate | | | | and three... Our studies of ostrich embryos, however, |
| model between them. In order for a living thing to | | | | showed conclusively that in birds, only digits two, |
| live, it has to keep breathing, and a reversal of the | | | | three and four, which correspond to the human |
| structure of its lungs with a change of design would | | | | index, middle and ring fingers, develop, and we have |
| inevitably end in death. According to evolution, this | | | | pictures to prove it," said Feduccia, professor and |
| change must happen gradually over millions of years, | | | | former chair of biology at UNC. "This creates a new |
| whereas a creature whose lungs do not work will die | | | | problem for those who insist that dinosaurs were |
| within a few minutes. | | | | ancestors of modern birds. How can a bird hand, for |
| Michael Denton also states that it is impossible to give | | | | example, with digits two, three and four evolve from |
| an evolutionary account of the avian lung: | | | | a dinosaur hand that has only digits one, two and |
| …In the case of birds, however, the major bronchi | | | | three? That would be almost impossible." (i) |
| break down into tiny tubes which permeate the lung | | | | In the same report, Dr. Freduccia also made |
| tissue. These so-called parabronchi eventually join up | | | | important comments on the invalidity-and the |
| together again, forming a true circulatory system so | | | | shallowness-of the "birds evolved from dinosaurs" |
| that air flows in one direction through the lungs. ...Just | | | | theory: |
| how such an utterly different respiratory system | | | | "There are insurmountable problems with that |
| could have evolved gradually from the standard | | | | theory," he [Dr. Feduccia] said. "Beyond what we |
| vertebrate design is fantastically difficult to envisage, | | | | have just reported, there is the time problem in that |
| especially bearing in mind that the maintenance of | | | | superficially bird-like dinosaurs occurred some 25 million |
| respiratory function is absolutely vital to the life of an | | | | to 80 million years after the earliest known bird, |
| organism to the extent that the slightest malfunction | | | | which is 150 million years old." |
| leads to death within minutes. Just as the feather | | | | If one views a chicken skeleton and a dinosaur |
| cannot function as an organ of flight until the hooks | | | | skeleton through binoculars they appear similar, but |
| and barbules are co adapted to fit together | | | | close and detailed examination reveals many |
| perfectly, so the avian lung cannot function as an | | | | differences, Feduccia said. Theropod dinosaurs, for |
| organ of respiration until the parabronchi system | | | | example, had curved, serrated teeth, but the earliest |
| which permeates it and the air sac system which | | | | birds had straight, unserrated peg-like teeth. They |
| guarantees the parabronchi their air supply are both | | | | also had a different method of tooth implantation and |
| highly developed and able to function together in a | | | | replacement." (ii) |
| perfectly integrated manner. (7) | | | | This evidence once again reveals that the "dino-bird" |
| In brief, the passage from a terrestrial lung to an | | | | hype is just another "icon" of Darwinism: A myth that |
| avian lung is impossible, because an intermediate form | | | | is supported only for the sake of a dogmatic faith in |
| would serve no purpose. | | | | the theory.i - David Williamson, "Scientist Says Ostrich |
| Reptiles (and mammals) breathe in and out from the | | | | Study Confirms Bird 'Hands' Unlike Those Of |
| same air vessel. In birds, while the air enters into the | | | | Dinosaurs", EurekAlert, 14-Aug-2002, - David |
| lung from the front, it goes out from the back. This | | | | Williamson, "Scientist Says Ostrich Study Confirms |
| distinct design is specially made for birds, which need | | | | Bird 'Hands' Unlike Those Of Dinosaurs", EurekAlert, |
| great amounts of oxygen during flight. It is impossible | | | | 14-Aug-2002, |
| for such a structure to evolve from the reptile lung. | | | | Under the pen name of Harun Yahya, Adnan Oktar |
| Another point that needs to be mentioned here is | | | | has written some 250 works. His books contain a |
| that reptiles have a diaphragm-type respiratory | | | | total of 46,000 pages and 31,500 illustrations. Of |
| system, whereas birds have an abdominal air sac | | | | these books, 7,000 pages and 6,000 illustrations deal |
| system instead of a diaphragm. These different | | | | with the collapse of the Theory of Evolution. You can |
| structures also make any evolution between the two | | | | read, free of charge, all the books Adnan Oktar has |
| lung types impossible, as John Ruben from Oregon | | | | written under the pen name Harun Yahya on these |
| State University, an acknowledged authority in the | | | | websites |
| field of respiratory physiology, observes in the | | | | (1) Alan Feduccia, The Origin and Evolution of Birds, |
| following passage: | | | | Yale University Press, 1999, p. 81 |
| The earliest stages in the derivation of the avian | | | | (2) Scott F. Gilbert, "Did Birds Evolve from the |
| abdominal air sac system from a diaphragm-ventilating | | | | Dinosaurs?," Developmental Biology, Sixth Edition, |
| ancestor would have necessitated selection for a | | | | chapter 16.4 ( |
| diaphragmatic hernia in taxa transitional between | | | | (3) Pat Shipman, "Birds Do It... Did Dinosaurs?," New |
| theropods and birds. Such a debilitating condition | | | | Scientist, February 1, 1997, p. 28 |
| would have immediately compromised the entire | | | | (4) Pat Shipman, "Birds Do It... Did Dinosaurs?," New |
| pulmonary ventilatory apparatus and seems unlikely | | | | Scientist, February 1, 1997, p. 28 |
| to have been of any selective advantage. (8) | | | | (5) Duane T. Gish, Dinosaurs by Design, Master |
| Another interesting structural design of the avian lung | | | | Books, AR, 1996. pp. 65-66 |
| which defies evolution is the fact that it is never | | | | (6) Michael Denton, Evolution: A Theory in Crisis, |
| empty of air, and thus never in danger of collapse. | | | | London, Burnett Books Limited, 1985, p. 210-211. |
| Michael Denton explains the situation: | | | | (7) Michael Denton, A Theory in Crisis, Adler & Adler, |
| Just how such a different respiratory system could | | | | 1986, pp. 210-212. |
| have evolved gradually from the standard vertebrate | | | | (8) J. A. Ruben, T. D. Jones, N. R. Geist, and W. J. |
| design without some sort of direction is, again, very | | | | Hillenius, "Lung Structure And Ventilation in Theropod |
| difficult to envisage, especially bearing in mind that | | | | Dinosaurs and Early Birds," Science, vol. 278, p. 1267. |
| the maintenance of respiratory function is absolutely | | | | (9) Michael J. Denton, Nature's Destiny, Free Press, |
| vital to the life of the organism. Moreover, the unique | | | | New York, 1998, p. 361. |
| function and form of the avian lung necessitates a | | | | (10) Charles Darwin, The Origin of Species: A |
| number of additional unique adaptations during avian | | | | Facsimile of the First Edition, Harvard University Press, |
| development… because first, the avian lung is fixed | | | | 1964, p. 189 |
| rigidly to the body wall and cannot therefore expand | | | | (11) Barbara J. Stahl, Vertebrate History: Problems in |
| in volume and, second, because of the small diameter | | | | Evolution, Dover, 1985, pp. 349-350. |
| of the lung capillaries and the resulting high surface | | | | (12) A. H. Brush, "On the Origin of Feathers," Journal |
| tension of any liquid within them, the avian lung | | | | of Evolutionary Biology, vol. 9, 1996, p.132. |
| cannot be inflated out of a collapsed state as | | | | (13) A. H. Brush, "On the Origin of Feathers," Journal |
| happens in all other vertebrates after birth. The air | | | | of Evolutionary Biology, vol. 9, 1996, p.131. |
| capillaries are never collapsed as are the alveoli of | | | | (14) A. H. Brush, "On the Origin of Feathers," Journal |
| other vertebrate species; rather, as they grow into | | | | of Evolutionary Biology, vol. 9, 1996, p.133. |
| the lung tissue, the parabronchi are from the | | | | (15) A. H. Brush, "On the Origin of Feathers," Journal |
| beginning open tubes filled with either air or fluid. (9) | | | | of Evolutionary Biology, vol. 9, 1996, p.131. |
| In other words, the passages in birds' lungs are so | | | | (16) Alan Feduccia, "On Why Dinosaurs Lacked |
| narrow that the air sacs inside their lungs cannot fill | | | | Feathers," The Beginning of Birds, Eichstatt, West |
| with air and empty again, as with land-dwelling | | | | Germany: Jura Museum, 1985, p. 76. |
| creatures. If a bird lung ever completely deflated, the | | | | (17) Alan Feduccia, The Origin and Evolution of Birds, |
| bird would never be able to re-inflate it, or would at | | | | Yale University Press, 1999, p. 128 |
| the very least have great difficulty in doing so. For | | | | (18) Ann Gibbons, "Plucking the Feathered Dinosaur," |
| this reason, the air sacs situated all over the lung | | | | Science, vol. 278, no. 5341, 14 November 1997, pp. |
| enable a constant passage of air to pass through, | | | | 1229 - 1230 |
| thus protecting the lungs from deflating. | | | | (19) Ann Gibbons, "Plucking the Feathered Dinosaur", |
| Of course this system, which is completely different | | | | Science, volume 278, Number 5341 Issue of 14 Nov |
| from the lungs of reptiles and other vertebrates, and | | | | 1997, pp. 1229 - 1230 |
| is based on the most complex design, cannot have | | | | (20) Alan Feduccia, The Origin and Evolution of Birds, |
| come about with random mutations, stage by stage, | | | | Yale University Press, 1999, p. 130 |
| as evolution maintains. Thus, as Denton also | | | | (21) Alan Feduccia, The Origin and Evolution of Birds, |
| mentions, the avian lung is enough to answer | | | | Yale University Press, 1999, p. 132 |
| Darwin's challenge: | | | | (22) Ernst Mayr, Systematics and the Origin of |
| "If it could be demonstrated that any complex organ | | | | Species, Dove, New York, 1964, p. 296. |
| existed, which could not possibly have been formed | | | | |