The first fossil birds found in the rocks of jurassic period belonged to genera Archaeopteryx and Archaeornis. Archaeopteryx was discovered in 1861 by Andreas Wagner from the upper jurrasic limestone rocks of Solenbofen in Bavaria, Germany. Archaeopteryx has a skeleton that retains a number of dinosaurian traits such as scales on the neck, teeth in the mouth, a jointed tail, and grasping fingers on the wings. It also has avian characteristics such as hollow bones and flight feathers. Archaeopteryx is regarded as the connecting link between the reptiles and the aves.