Re: Sinosauropteryx protofeathers

[Dinogeorge@aol.com]

In a message dated 1/21/99 2:36:31 PM EST, rayancog@pacific.net.ph writes:

<< I'd stick with the term "protofeather" for _Sinosauropteryx_ to make it
 unambiguously clear for the layman that it appeared _before_ the appearance
 of "true" feathers by _Caudipteryx_ and _Protarchaeopteryx_. >>

Beware; this may be a grave error. The _Sinosauropteryx_ "protofeathers" could
easily be nonflight feathers derived from an earlier volant ancestor. Best not
to freeze the terminology, lest you freeze your thinking into the bargain.