Abstract
This paper traces the history of the evolutionary studies, which have concluded that birds evolved from dinosaurs, and reviews alternative theories of the origin of birds. Next, the author presents the evolution of feathers and flight, the physiology and skeletal similarity of dinosaurs and bird and the molecular evidence of the dinosaurian origins of birds. The paper concludes that most paleontologists agree that birds have descended from the coelurosaurs line of dinosaurs, which had features that were remarkably similar to birds; however, there remains debate over the origin and purpose of the evolution of feathers since feathers also have been found in many non-avian dinosaurs

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Discussion
Brief History of Dinosaurs
Source of the Dinosaurian Origin of Bird's Theory
Alternative Theories of Bird Origin
Evolution of Feathers and Flight
Dinosaur and Bird Physiology
Skeletal Similarities between Dinosaurs and Birds
Molecular Evidence of Dinosaurian Origins
Conclusion

From the Paper
"All modern-day birds are endothermic and scientists have reasoned that their immediate coelurosaurian ancestors might have been endothermic as well. However, enough evidence has been gathered to prove that some of the dinosaurs were, in fact, ectothermic. Nevertheless, some dinosaurian features do suggest that some of the dinosaurs were endotherms. These features include an upright posture and locomotion as evidenced from trackways, body size and length of specific body parts, and soft-part anatomy like organs and feathers. An upright posture is normally associated with increased mobility and activity which in turn is related to food requirements and metabolism."

Tags:archaeopteryx, feathers, fossils, coelurosaurs, flight

Abstract
The paper defines birds as warm-blooded vertebrate animals that are covered with feathers, have wings, a beak and no teeth. The paper describes the different types of feathers and their respective functions. The paper looks at the respiratory, circulatory and digestive systems of the birds and their efficiencies. The paper discusses their food and habitats and notes that there are a few species of birds that do not fly, such as the penguin.

From the Paper
"Birds belong to the Aves Classification in biology and live virtually anywhere in the world. They are amniotes (animals whose eggs are protected from drying out), a group that includes mammals, dinosaurs and reptiles). There are approximately 9,000 species, divided into 24 orders and 146 families (which include, for example, Anseriformes (ducks), apodiformes, caprimulgiformes, charadriiformes, ciconiformes, columbiformes, coraciiformes, cucliformes, falconiformes, galliformes, gaviiformes, and so on). Birds are warm-blooded vertebrate animals that are covered with feathers, have wings, a beak, and no teeth. Feathers are actually modified scales. (Enchanted 1)"

Tags:feathers, wings, beak, prey

Abstract
In his film "The Birds", Alfred Hitchcock uses metaphors to depict human lonesomeness and a balance between humans and animals. He uses images of bird attacks to reveal pain and suffering that humans suppress. He uses the same image to point out what would happen to humans if they were put in the place of birds.

Abstract
In the movie "The Birds" (1963), director Alfred Hitchcock suggests themes of horror related to primal fears of nature. While the story is based on the story "The Birds" by Daphne Du Maurier, the film version made many changes in the process of adaptation. The paper shows that the changes Hitchcock made utilized the same tensions as the original story while adapting the tale to something that could better take advantage of the visual element so important on the screen. It shows that these changes create a film that is more visual, but also develop the human element to a greater degree, shape the narrative for a different time and setting and create a different sense of the vagaries of nature and the way human beings fit into the natural world.

From the Paper
"The first change noted is that the story no longer takes place at a farm surrounded by the sea, for now the setting is the coastal village of Bodega Bay in California and not a distant region of England. The original story is about a disabled man and his family, while the Hitchcock film begins the story with the meeting of a woman and man in San Francisco. Melanie Daniels meets Mitch in a pet store where Mitch is looking for a pair of lovebirds for his younger sister. The movie version therefore has the trappings of a traditional romance from the first, and the element of fear will be something that tests the romance and creates contrasts between the way the world was before the meeting and the way it becomes after. The suspense develops slowly as the couple travels to Bodega Bay, as Melanie meets some of the people there, and as the nature she is now exposed to begins to change into something deadly. The suspense increases as birds begin to attack, first singly, then in groups of hundreds and thousands of birds, all behaving contrary to their normal placid nature."

Tags:Melanie, Daniels, Bodega, Bay, Annie, Hayworth

Abstract
Aristophanes' "The Birds" is a comedy, but it does make a number of philosophical statements about the human condition, particularly the inability of human beings to accept reality for what it is. The paper shows how almost every character in the play (not only human but also bird and god) is shown to be dissatisfied with his or her lot in life and seeks to create a better city or world. The world turns out not to be better, but worse than the reality each seeks to escape. The paper shows that while Aristophanes, from his satirical perspective, may handle some characters more tenderly than others, all are skewered in one way or another as deluded or self-deluded, as alienated from reality. No character is happy and contented with his or her lot, but instead believes that there is some way to control others or otherwise exercise power in order to win that elusive happiness.

From the Paper
"However, the play is not overtly political, and the argument of this study remains philosophical rather than political, social, or even ethical. This is so because Aristophanes, at least in this particular play, seems to this reader to be focusing more on the human proclivity to self-centered dissatisfaction with reality in general rather than with the blatantly political. Certainly the subject of trying to create a utopia on earth is present, and that may certainly be said to be political, but, again, the goal of this study is to explore the theme of human restlessness in general, with the tendency of individuals at every point in history and in almost every culture to be unhappy with what they have and to seek something that they don't have and likely will never have. In fact, it can be argued their inability or unwillingness to be satisfied with reality (personal, social, psychological, and political) is the source of their happiness."

Tags:Pithetaerus, Euelpides, Athens, Epops

Abstract
This paper explores seed dispersal mechanisms in three different plant communities. It focuses on the role of birds and the maintenance of plant biodiversity. The paper discusses seed dispersal in Wisconsin Arboretum, Pheasant Branch Conservancy and Baxter's Hollow. It also looks at the ways in which seed dispersal in these areas is dependent on animals.

Table of Contents:
Wisconsin Arboretum
Pheasant Branch Conservancy
Baxter's Hollow

From the Paper
"The overstory is dominated by cottonwood, boxelder and silver maple. The only apparent mechanism for seed dispersal is wind. Cottonwood and Silver Maple dominated, possibly due to their ease of wind dispersal. Nut trees were not found, possible due to the wetness of the forest floor. The forest floor is dominated by Bucktorn (80%) (Budyak et al, 2006). This is probably due to its ability to survive and germinate in wet environments, rather than due to seed dispersal mechanisms. Buckthorn is not a favorite of deer, which may also play a role in its dominance in the area. A majority of the seeds within the understory are easily wind dispersed such as Virginia creeper, sweet Cecily, and white avens. These species comprise the other 20% of the understory. Wind was the primary seed dispersal mechanism, with birds and animals playing a minor role in this area."

Tags:ecosystem, plant, animal, habitat, biodiversity

Abstract
This paper explores director Alfred Hitchcock's stylistic signature through a compare/contrast of two of his films: "Rear Window" and "The Birds". The author explores some of Hitchcock's themes, such as marriage and voyeurism, that are common to both films.

From the Paper
"He has been called the Master of Suspense. Alfred Hitchcock would probably say that this tagline was merely invented to sell more cinema tickets, but many of his films contain elements that back up this formidable title. In Rear Window and The Birds, Hitchcock explores several different themes. However, each of these films still carries the true flavor of a Hitchcock film."

Tags:alfred, hitchcock, rear, window, tippi, thorwald, voyeur, jeff, mitchell, lisa, melanie, suspense

Abstract
This paper discusses the topic of safety and security in two of Alfred Hitchcock's movies: "Foreign Correspondent" and "The Birds". Essentially, using these two films as a backdrop, the paper makes the argument that people feel secure when things are predictable. When things become unpredictable they are insecure.

From the Paper
"Films often offer a glimpse of the social, psychological and political conditions of their times. For example, in "Film Violence and the Institutionalization of the Cinema" J. David Slocum notes, Hollywood cinema has figured importantly in efforts to posit media as significant forces in the consolidation, extension, and continuation of the established social order (Slocum 649). What this means is that films say a lot about the social, psychological and political conditions of the time they were made in. This means that a movie from the 1940s will have significantly different social and political messages then a film made in the 1960s."

Tags:security, safety, film

Abstract
This paper examines how Lorrie Moore, known for her sarcastic, funny, and painfully honest short stories, has written a darker, more painful book in "Birds of America". It looks at how she deals with the themes of death, cancer, and the loss of a child in a variety of stories that are increasingly difficult to read. It examines the stories in the book, discusses the themes the author presents, and questions the experiences behind the pain.

From the Paper
"All of Moore's characters have that one quality in common. They all speak frankly, saying things we would love to be able to say, out loud, whenever something or someone irritates us. Most of us never dare to speak those words, but Moore's characters do and frequently, rudely, and in such a way that readers cheer for their forthrightness and guffaw at the reactions of those the characters address. While her characters are candid and blunt in Anagrams, Like Life, and Who Will Run the Frog Hospital?, the characters in Moore's most recent work, Birds of America, are so desperate, downtrodden and inundated with life's misfortunes that they don't have time to couch their words carefully and Moore makes no effort to have them do so."

Tags:death, humor, sarcasm, tragedy

Abstract
This paper examines how the origin of feathers is unknown and how scientists have researched the topic. and none of the theories have even come close to being proved. It looks at how the mystery of the evolution of feathers is closely linked with the origin of birds themselves and how there is various evidence that shows that birds have evolved from small, predatory dinosaurs, known as theropods. It also examines the theory that, although the evolution of feathers and flight were always intimately linked, new fossils discovered in China show that feathers originated even before the evolution of flights or birds.

From the Paper
"A bird's most distinctive attribute is its feathers. Traditionally it was thought that the evolution of feathers was linked to the origin of flight, but studies now confirm that feathers existed even in the non-flying dinosaurs, which shows that feathers pre-dated the origin of both flight and birds. The actual progress of feathers is not fully known because of various misleads one of which actually states that the primitive feather actually came about due to the elongation and division of the reptilian scale, and the misunderstanding that feathers evolved primarily for the function of flight. Another hindrance in the concept is that of the lack of the availability of primitive fossils. Many contributions from several fields have tried to bring about a solution for these problems."

Tags:flight, dinosaurs, theropods, fossils