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