What is "protopteryx"

Protopteryx is an extinct genus of bird and the most primitive enantiornithine, from the Cretaceous period. The type species is P. fengningensis. It was first discovered in the Sichakou Member of the Yixian Formation of Hebei Province, northern China, dating from 131 Ma ago. ''Protopteryx ''has been found in the Daibeigou formation, as well. The name Protopteryx means "primitive feather": "proto-" meaning "the first of" and "-pteryx" meaning "feather" or "wing." The name comes from the fact that Protopteryx feathers have features of modern ones as well as of reptilian scales, such as the two elongated tail feathers that lack barbs and rami.