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Lot 8334

Primitive Fossil Bird

3 December 2006, 11:00 PST
Los Angeles

Sold for US$10,157.50 inc. premium

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Primitive Fossil Bird

Confuciusornis sanctus
Early Cretaceous
Yixian Formation, Sihetun sites near Beipiao, Liaoning China

The original discovery of Confuciusornis sanctus precipitated a great deal of interest, on the part of both scientists and collectors, in birds of the Early Cretaceous Period. Visible feathers, several very well-preserved vertebrae, part of the thick wish bone and the presence of the very long, curved keratin sheath of the foot claws are notable in this specimen. The wing claws, larger than the foot claws, are also very well preserved. Unlike modern birds, Confuciusornis was capable of holding onto branches with its wing claws. It is known that Confuciusornis ate fish, as one specimen was found with a fish in its stomach region. Measures 11 2/4 x 10 ½ x 1in

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