176 THE CROSSBILL. 



day, or sickened by the drench of the farrier*. 

 With birds it is probably the same as with other 

 creatures, and the eagle, the raven, the parrot, &c., 

 in a domestic state, attain great longevity ; and 

 though we suppose them naturally tenacious of life, 

 yet, in a really wild state, they would probably 

 expire before the period which they attain when 

 under our attention and care. And this is much 

 the case with man, who probably outlives most 

 other creatures ; for though excess may often 

 shorten, and disease or misfortune terminate his 

 days, yet naturally he is a long-lived animal. His 

 " threescore years and ten" are often prolonged by 

 constitutional strength, and by the cares, the loves, 

 the charities of human nature. As the decay of his 

 powers awaken solicitude, duty and affection increase 

 their attentions, and the spark of life only expires 

 when the material is exhausted. 



That rare bird, the crossbill (loxia curvirostra), 

 occasionally visits the orchards in our neighbour- 

 hood, coming in little parties to feed upon the 

 seeds of the apple ; and, seldom as it appears, is 

 always noticed by the mischief it does to the fruit, 

 by cutting it asunder with its well-constructed 

 mandibles, in order to obtain the kernels. A na- 

 tive of those extensive pine forests in the neigh- 

 bourhood of the Rhine, it makes excursions into 

 various parts of Europe in search of change of 



* Dec. 10, 1829. But my faithful servant is gone: her life was 

 an easy one not shortened by violence, nor terminating in suffer, 

 ing. 



