November
28, 1978
Dear
Mr Plant:
Thank
you for your recent letter that was prompted by my article in the National
Geographic Magazine.
Because
of your interest in bird origins, I am sending several papers of mine on this
subject. I hope they will be of some use in your writings. Thank you for your
compliments on my research.
I
was interested in your observations of claws on the wings of Pekin or Cochin
bantams. Although your fellow poultry breeders do not know of such
occurrences, they have been reported in some birds. In fact, I was informed
just a few weeks ago of such an occurrence in a zoo hatchling - an East
African ibis. Presumably, these represent a sport
or the re-occurrence of a primitive condition - perhaps from a near Archæopteryx
state. These claws are different from the spur that occurs in your spur-winged
plover or screamers - which is more like the spur on the shank or metatarsus
of galliform (pheasants and chickens) birds.
You
are right. My research is most interesting and satisfying - when I can get to
it. But then, I enjoy my work with students as well.
Thank
you for your interest and good wishes.
Sincerely,
John
H. Ostrom
Professor of Geology