( 117 ) 



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 

 hy 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. 



