of gravity to walk. Instead, they likely moved on land by pushing themselves along on their bellies, like modern seals. However, more recent studies on hesperornithean hindlimbs suggest they were more functionally similar to those of the still upright walking cormorants. Young Hesperornis grew fairly quickly and continuously to adulthood, as is the case in modern birds, but not Enantiornithes. Pathology A Hesperornis leg bone uncovered in the 1960s was examined by David Burnham, Bruce Rothschild et al. and was found to bear bite marks from a young polycotylid plesiosaur (possibly a Dolichorhynchops or something similar). The Hesperornis's bone, specifically the condyle, shows signs of infection, indicating the bird survived the initial attack and escaped the predator. The discovery was published in the journal Cretaceous Research in 2016. References Sources Further reading Everhart, M.J. (2012): Oceans of Kansas: Hesperornis regalis Marsh 1872 – Toothed marine birds of the Late Cretaceous seas . Version of 2012-September-19. Everhart, M.J. 2011. Rediscovery of the Hesperornis regalis Marsh 1871 holotype locality indicates an earlier stratigraphic occurrence. Kansas Academy of Science, Transactions 114(1-2):59-68. External links Eastern Kentucky University: Closeup of Hesperornis skull. Retrieved 2007-NOV-04. savageancientseas.com: Forward view of H. regalis skeleton in diving pose. Note realistic position of legs and toe rotation. Retrieved 2007-NOV-04. UC Davis: Moveable 3D rendering of patella (kneecap) of Hesperornis sp.. Digitized from KUVP PU17193. Requires Java, IFC or 3DC plugin. Retrieved 2007-NOV-04. Bird genera Hesperornitheans Extinct flightless birds Late Cretaceous birds of North America Taxa named by Othniel Charles Marsh