Robert Clarkさんのインスタグラム写真 - (Robert ClarkInstagram)「While traveling for #NatGeo on a story, Evolution of Feathers, I saw my first Silkie in a live market in Liaoning Province. @davidcoventry and I purchased the bird, had our photo session & then returned him to his home. Silkies most likely made their way to the West on the Silk Route and maritime trade. Once Silkies became more common in the West, many myths were perpetuated about them. Early Dutch breeders told buyers they were the offspring of chickens and rabbits. Liaoning Province in northeastern China has some of the most important fossil beds in the world. Since the early 1990s, thousands of fossil plants and animals--including insects, fish, dinosaurs, birds, amphibians and mammals--have been found in Liaoning. These discoveries are notable not just for the number and diversity of species that have been found, the Liaoning fossils are also amazingly well-preserved. Delicate features like skin texture and feathers are clearly visible in many of the animal specimens. Indeed, the discovery of numerous feathered dinosaurs in Liaoning continues to reveal important information about the origin of feathers and flight, as well as the evolution of birds. It is unknown exactly where or when these fowl with their singular combination of attributes first appeared, but the most well documented point of origin is ancient China. The earliest surviving Western written account of Silkies comes from Marco Polo, who wrote of a "furry" chicken in the 13th century during his travels in Asia. The adaptation in color, size, survival behaviors to different environments will never cease to amaze me. Working on my book about birds is always a pleasure. I love birds.」7月15日 5時26分