Re: Eagle eyes

["Matthew Bonnan" <mbonnan@hotmail.com>]

Just some random thoughts on palpebral bones:

In crocodilians, I have read that a function for the palpebral bone is to 
act sort of like the triangular wedge in front of a train (name is eluding 
me now) that pushes stuff out of the way.  While swimming with just the eyes 
peaking above the surface of the water, the palpebrals, being situated in 
front of the eyes, would push junk in the water out of the way of eyes while 
the crocodilian swam forward.  Anyone else heard of this one?

In predatory birds, might the palpebral bone also serve a protective 
function when the animal captures prey or while it is eating by providing a 
bony protuberence in front of the eyes?  As the bird pushes its head into a 
carcass, the palpebral bone might prevent stuff from going into the eyes.

Merely speculation and hand waving.  Back to work with me, to the beautfiul, 
gigantic, sauropods, the pinnacle of evolution.

Matt Bonnan
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