LENGTH OF LIFE. 27 



doubt instituted for wise and useful purposes, 

 perhaps designed to interpose a period of 

 rest after the long-continued and exhausting 

 operation of laying and taking charge of the 

 young. Any artificial means to interrupt 

 this natural process must, I should be dis- 

 posed to believe, be decidedly injurious to 

 the fowl. There is no doubt, however,, that 

 during this process an extra attention to 

 their food and warm lodging will much ame- 

 liorate their condition, and probably shorten 

 this barren period. 



The age of the domestic cock varies from 

 seven to ten years. They have been known 

 to live longer than this. Buffon, indeed, as- 

 serts that they may reach twenty years ; but, 

 unfortunately for them, we have no interest in 

 preserving their life for any long time, and it 

 is only by some very rare accident that they 

 are allowed to die of old age. Aged fowls 

 are readily recognised by their Jistlessness, 

 the few eggs they lay, the great length of the 

 period of moulting, the length of the spurs, 

 which are also found on the females, as well 

 as the disposition to crow, and the rough- 

 ness of their feet and combs. 



