THE first birds were probably four-winged gliders, and only later evolved into the sophisticated flapping fliers with light skeletons and two wings that we see today. This view of avian evolution is supported by a new study of Archaeopteryx, the most famous bird fossil, which reveals it had long feathers on its back and legs, as well as on its wings.
The first Archaeopteryx was discovered 140 years ago, and is now kept in Germany’s Humboldt Museum in Berlin. Over the years there have been anecdotal reports that faint feathers can be seen on its hind legs. These have now…
