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Show "Terror Bird" of Long Ago Restored by Taxidermists About 1890 the scientific world was startled by the report from Argentina of the discovery of fossil fos-sil remains of several enormous birds. Some were eight feet in height. They were obviously carnivorous and must have presented a terrifying terrify-ing .appearance in life, says Ellen T. Smith, associate, division of birds, Chicago Natural History museum. mu-seum. The range of the period in which members of this group lived was estimated at between eight and 30 million years ago, varying with different species. Although the largest of these enormous flesh eaters was the eight-foot Brontornis, the smaller Mesembriornis was perhaps even more formidable. Mesembriornis was only five feet high, but it was much better equipped as a bird of prey than- the more cumbersome Brontornis. Built for speed, it must have been a phenomenally fast runner, probably using its proportionately small wings to help maintain its balance, for It was incapable of flight. Strong feet and big curved claws combined with its huge head and powerful hooked beak to make it probably the most dangerous bird ever to have existed. It was restored recently at the Chicago Natural History museum in all its frightful mien, and is called call-ed the "Terror Bird." |