NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY 

 AND ON SHOOTING. 



CHAPTER XXVII. 



Length of Life of Birds The Eagle Swan Geese Falcons Fowls 

 Pigeons Small Birds Great age of Eagles and Foxes Red-Deer 

 Destruction of Old Stags Roe Sheep Rifles ; size of their bore 

 Double-barrelled Rifles Size of Small Shot Cartridges Impossibility 

 of laying down general rules Necessity of discretion in all writers on 

 Natural History. 



IT is not easy to determine the length of years bestowed on 

 any of the wild animals. There are no specific and well- 

 ascertained data on which to form a valid opinion. On all 

 such subjects the most positive assertions are often so ill 

 supported by facts, that the naturalist should be most careful 

 and guarded as to the evidence on which he founds his 

 opinion. It seems, however, reasonable to suppose that the 

 age attained by all animals bears a certain proportion to the 

 time which they take in coining to their maturity in size 

 and strength. 



Judging by this criterion, the eagle may be set down as 

 one of the longest lived of our British birds ; as he certainly 

 does not arrive at the full maturity of his plumage for some 

 years. On the other hand, the swan puts on her white 

 feathers at her first moulting, yet is said to live to a very 

 great age; and there are well-authenticated instances that this 

 is the fact. Geese, too, live to a most patriarchal age. The 

 period of life of tame falcons does not exceed eight to ten 

 years at least so I am assured by some of my acquaintances 

 who have kept these birds. A wild hawk, barring accidents 

 from shot or trap, has, probably, a better chance of longevity 

 than a domesticated bird, however carefully the latter may 

 be tended, as it is almost impossible to hit upon the exact 

 quantity, quality, and variety of food which best conduces to 

 their health, or to give tame birds as large a share of exercise 



