Looking closely at the fossils, scientists found that ancient feathers contained many layers of long feathers, like a penguin's. This made the wings rather heavy and difficult for birds to move up and down. “We don't think these things could take off from the ground," said Nicholas Longrich, of Yale University, lead author of the study. “They can’t fly like a modern bird.”

　　This is why scientists concluded that early feathers were only used by birds to glide (滑翔)from high trees, or keep warm, or maybe as camouflage (伪装),but not flying, according to National Geographic.

　　Over the next millions of years, the evolution of feathers never stopped. Birds developed wings that included a layer of long feathers covered with short feathers on top. This structure allowed birds to separate their feathers more easily to create wider span (翼展）and to change directions in midair. They have also grown special wrist bones so that they can spread their wings when flying and fold them into their sides when walking.

　　"This new research is throwing light not just on how birds came to fly, but more specially on how feathers came to be the way they are today---one of the most amazing and highly specialized structures in nature," said Jakob Vinther, from the University of Bristol UK.

　　1. According to the article, scientists conclude that early birds__________。

　　A. could already fly high B. only used feathers to keep warm

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