Re: Again :-] : Re: Again: origin of bird flight

["David Marjanovic" <david.marjanovic@gmx.at>]

> >If, OTOH, the predator jumps off from 2 m, the jump lasts so long that
the
> >prey will escape in too many cases.
>
> This only applies when the predator is Wile E. Coyote and the potential
prey
> is Road Runner.  Wile E. Coyote possesses the selectively advantageous
trait
> of having a lag between the moment when he realises he's suspended in
> mid-air and the moment when gravity begins to have an effect.

:-D :-]

> For all other predators, the time it takes to fall is not too different
> between whether the height is 1m or 2m above ground.  I could do the math,

I've done it. Falling from 2 m, neglecting drag, takes less than a second.
:-(

> but it might be better simply to climb a tree with a stopwatch and see for
> yourself.
> ;-)

I'll try... (After experimental archaeology, experimental palaeontology!
=8-) )

> >Hunting frogs is difficult. Considerably larger size, and maybe
arboreality
> >or an ability to swim, will help.
>
> Once, several years ago, when standing on my patio, I spied a frog in my
> backyard - siting maybe 3m away.  The patio was about 1.5m above the lawn.
> I clambered over the railing of the patio, and jumped onto the lawn,
landing
> within about 1m of the frog.  I could have landed closer to the frog, but
I
> didn't want to land right on top of it.  There was no water or trees
nearby,
> and I could have easily have pounced on the frog and caught it.  But I'm
not
> a natural predator of frogs, and (outside of French restuarants) I don't
> usually eat them.  I observed the little frog jumping away, in the
direction
> of the rockery.

I didn't write "impossible". I've managed once to touch a frog from behind
(on a cool day IIRC) some years ago. However, 10 m from the door there is a
nature reserve with several small lakes. Hundreds of frogs here. I have
tried hard to _see_ some -- this is hardly possible, all I normally notice
is the splash when one jumps into the water.

Too small size, anyway, is probably no advantage in hunting (respectively
eating) frogs, compared to compsognathid or stork size.