30 Mr. J. H. Gurney — Comparative 



having been there 54 years. In spite of all these instances 

 there is no real proof that the Psittaci live longer than other 

 birds ; the only thing they really do prove is that Parrots 

 are easier to keep in confinement. 



Striges. 

 Certainly Eagle-Owls (Bubo maximus) are Methuselahs, as 

 is befitting birds of such a wise and patriarchal countenance. 

 Their longevity has been abundantly demonstrated by many 

 kept by my late father^ Lord Lilford, and Mr. Fountaine, but 

 above all by Mr. Meade- Waldo's marvellous old pair^ now 

 68 and 53 years old. What is very remarkable and an ex- 

 traordinary proof of vigour is that Mr. Meade-Waldo's Owls 

 have bred regularly since 1864, namely 32 years, having in 

 that time reared no less than 93 young ones. They are 

 still in the best of health, showing what care and personal 

 attention can do. It is, I imagine, Mr. Meade-Waldo's old 

 female which has been by mistake alluded to as belonging 

 to the late Lord Lilford by the authors of ' British Birds,' 

 iii. p. 86. But old as Mr. Meade-Waldo's Owls are, Sussex 

 can take the pi'ize, according to the ' West Sussex Gazette,' 

 with one of the hoary denizens of the keep of Arundel 

 Castle, called " Lord Thurlow." This was the name of 

 an Eagle-Owl, the subject of some amusing stories, which 

 expired in 1859 at the age of 100, leaving seven birds in 

 captivity in the " keep," one of which was 63. From 

 inquiries made at the Castle I believe them to have been the 

 European Eagle-Owl, Bubo maximus, but on this head see 

 Borrer's ' Birds of Sussex,' p. xvii. With what degree of 

 precision their ages were recorded it is diflicult to say ; but 

 the present Duke confirmed the fact of their being very old, 

 and concerning Mr. Meade- Waldo's pair there need be no 

 question. 



ACCIPITRES. 



Besides the 27 cases to be presently enumerated, several 

 of which it will be seen from the list are sufiiciently remark- 

 able, there are stories with much credibility about them of 

 still older Accipitres, and to these I would briefly direct 



