Summary:
"The Cretaceous Birds of New Jersey" by Storrs L. Olson and David C. Parris is a scientific publication written in the late 20th century. The book focuses on the fossil bird species found in Late Cretaceous deposits from New Jersey, specifically examining the diversity and morphological characteristics of these ancient avifaunas. These birds represent an important aspect of both avian evolution and the geological history of the region. The book provides a comprehensive revision of previously named taxa, adding newly collected specimens from the Inversand Company marl pits. It details around 8 genera and 9 species of Cretaceous birds, mostly primitive Charadriiformes, and introduces "Anatalavis rex", a new genus, alongside a proposal for a new family, genus, and species (Tytthostonychidae, "Tytthostonyx glauconiticus"). The authors compare the fossilized remains with modern birds, discussing their evolutionary significance, including bodies similar to the modern Burhinidae and connections to more archaic lineages. By analyzing the fossilized avifauna, the book enhances our understanding of the adaptive radiation of birds during the late Mesozoic era. (This is an automatically generated summary.)