Again, Var, We on earth have a simular strange animal like that: The Platipus, it's space, evolution can take completely different direction, I'm not used to you saying such things Var
... yes, well, I have. I'm just stating that one of the earliest races of a small area of the galaxy, would have evolved, and thus lost the use of their wings. And while I cannot even begin to figure out how the platypus came about, bat wings, and a bird beak on a lizard make for a very strange sight, along with stubby rhino legs. But, I think reasons can be figured out, as to why they have their legs, and beaks. But space fairing races would have to have used their wings an aweful lot just to keep them. (In the case of the Luminoth, they were "born in space", and found their homeworld of Aether after only a few years, and had traded with the Chozo, who had lost their wings due to a much longer civilization than the newly born Luminoth. [Metroid Prime series]) I'm just stating the likely loss of wings from their evolutionary development, as well as the fact that they would have to strive to keep their wings.
But, the main reason I bring up the chimera aspect, is due to the fact that a lizard-like species, covered in scales as lizards are, should not be able to have the furry/fuzzy bat-like wings. However, they would be more likely to had once had a more draconic wings, but, due to technological advancements replacing the need to fly, their wings would shrink till only the very base of the wings existed. (The section of the back that the wings grew from, like the human tail-bone)
Sorry DarkKnight, but I look at the evolution of races through a more scientific angle, as it makes the race more believable. But, I do that with everyone! It helps make the races and technological development more realistic, (why have gravity chairs when you can fly) and helps to narrow the concept to a single race and playing style, instead of having technological and biological traits to prepare them for everything.
The Chozo are an advanced race, but not even they are prepared for everything. It is the Admiral's quick thinking that has allowed them to survive as long as they have, once leaving their home galaxy, and the corruption that devoured their people. But, as far as physical traits, their reliance upon technology has deminished their more psychic aspects of their mind, as well as the loss of their wings. Through careful harmony between machines and nature, they attempt to keep their plumage (feathers), to remain what they consider Chozo. And this balance tests their innovation in every building they make. The military, however, thrives in technology, not nature, and thus, not a bit of nature appears on the ships, unless otherwise designed. This creates a gap between the civilian and military technological developments. It nudges their evolution away from nature, the longer they are on ships. The marine combat suits don't help keep their feathers either.
