Hesperornis

                Hesperornis fossils are widely distributed in the Late Cretaceous Niobrara Chalk
                and Pierre Shale formations located in Kansas, South Dakota, and Wyoming. 
                (Chatterjee 1999). It is the most described genus of the Hesperornithiforms. 

                
                    Brendan Smith Photography 

                Hesperornis was approximately 3 feet long, had short stubby wings, webbed
                feet, presumably strong legs, and a elongated beak thought to have been
                covered in a horny sheath (Chatterjee 1999).  The skeleton of the feet and
                legs are highly modified for foot-propelled diving habits.  The legs are
                set very far back which would make walking on land awkward, therefore
                Hesperornis probably spent most of it's time in the water.  The diminutive wings
                indicate that Hesperornis was flightless.  On the skull, above the roof of the eye
                orbits are depressions for salt glands which indicates an aquatic life style.  The
                toothed beak is similar to that of Archaeopteryx an older fossil specimen.

                                                       
                                                        Othniel C. Marsh rendering