Page 188 - Atlas of Creation Volume 2

There are several structural differences between birds and reptiles, one of the most important of
these being bone structure. The bones of dinosaurs—regarded by evolutionists as the supposed an-
cestors of birds—are thick and solid, making them very heavy. On the other hand, the bones of

birds—both living and extinct species—are all hollow and thus very light, which is of great impor-
tance in their being able to fly.
Another difference between birds and reptiles is their different metabolic rates. Reptiles have one

of the slowest metabolisms of all life forms on Earth, while birds hold the highest. Due to a spar-
row's very fast metabolism, for example, its body temperature may sometimes rise to as high as
48°C (118.4 F). Reptiles are unable to generate their own body heat, warming their bodies by bask-
ing in the sun's rays. Reptiles consume energy the slowest, while birds consume it the highest of all.

Despite his being an evolutionist, Alan Feduccia strongly opposes the theory that birds and di-
nosaurs are related, on the basis of scientific findings. On the subject of the dino-bird evolution the-
sis, he has this to say:

Well, I've studied bird skulls for 25 years and I don't see any similarities whatsoever. I just don't
see it . . . The theropod origins of birds, in my opinion, will be the greatest embarrassment of pa-
leontology of the 20th century. (Pat Shipman, "Birds Do It … Did Dinosaurs?," New Scientist, 1
February 1997, p. 28.)

186 Atlas of Creation Vol. 2