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Anonymous
Outdated knowledge is outdated.
The old classification system was based largely on a complete ignorance of how groups of animals came to be. The current cladistic taxonomy is based on knowledge on how these groups have evolved and which groups share common ancestors (and how recently). Since the group that includes chelonians, tuataras, lizards, snakes and crocodiles also includes birds, either we call them all reptiles or we call none of them reptiles. Scientifically speaking, Reptilia doesn't even exist anymore, so it's mainly a question of preference whether you want your birds to be reptiles or your no-longer-reptiles to be sauropsids.
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