Scientific Classification of Middle Earth Races

[Wayfarer]

Gollum was a Hobbit, yes. He was just of an ancient breed of Stoor.

I'm really not sure how to put it any simpler, afro elf.

As far as feathers=scales, that's part of the whole birds=reptiles/dinosaurs thing.

It's quite amusing.

For Example

Ask your average paleontologist who is familiar with the phylogeny of vertebrates and they will probably tell you that yes, birds (avians) are dinosaurs. Using proper terminology, birds are avian dinosaurs; other dinosaurs are non-avian dinosaurs, and (strange as it may sound) birds are technically considered reptiles.

And specifically on feathers:

Like all other reptiles, birds have scales (feathers are produced by tissues similar to those that produce scales, and birds have scales on their feet).

Ok... now... back to what I was saying.

If you take three different indicators (shape, construction, and chemical composition) you get three different relationships.

So it's really not feasable to attempt to categorize things by supposed relationships.

At least, not on the scale you're suggesting.