NOTES ON NATURAL HISTOEY 

 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 sup- 

 pose that the age attained by all animals bears a 

 certain proportion to the time which they take in 

 coming to their maturity in size and strength. 



