Sinornis

                Sinornis fossils have been found in Lower Cretaceous lacustrine deposits in 
                China. Evidence for the development of flight  is associated with this sparrow
                size bird.  Sinornis, as in Archaeopteryx, exhibits some primitive feathers not 
                specifically involved in flight which is reported not to occur in other bird fossils.
                Other similarities with Archaeopteryx include a short toothed snout, and a
                primitive pelvis.  Unlike Archaeopteryx however, the pectoral girdle and forelimb
                of Sinornis show many features related to advanced wing design.  The wrist joint
                is modified for hyperflexion of the manus against the forearm during the recovery 
                phase of the flight stroke and for folding the wing against the body.  It has been 
                suggested that Sinornis was capable of sustained flight similar to that in modern
                birds (Chenggang & Sereno 1992). 
                                                                             Daniel Bensen