AN- ESSAY ON LONGEVITY. 6>J 



show their years ; but for the growth of their bodies 

 it is not so. 



23. The eagle is accounted a long liver, yet his 

 years are not set down ; and it is alleged, as a sign of 

 his long life, that he casts his bill, whereby he grows 

 young again ; from whence comes that old proverb, 

 the old age of an eagle. Notwithstanding perchance 

 the matter may be thus, that the renewing of the 

 eagle doth not cast his bill, but the casting of his bill 

 is the renewing of the eagle ; for, after that his bill is 

 grown to a great crookedness, the eagle feeds with 

 much difficulty. 



24. Vultures are also affirmed to be long livers, 

 insomuch that they extend their life well near to a 

 hundred years. Kites likewise, and so all birds that 

 feed upon flesh, and birds of prey, live long. As for 

 hawks, because they lead a degenerate and servile 

 life for the delight of men, the term of their natural 

 life is not certainly known ; notwithstanding amongst 

 mewed hawks some have been found to have lived 

 thirty years, and amongst wild hawks forty years. 



25. The raven likewise is reported to live long, 

 sometimes to a hundred years. He feeds on carrion, 

 and flies not often, but rather is a sedentary and 

 melanchoUic bird, and hath very black flesh. But the 

 crow, like unto him in most things (except in great- 

 ness and voice), lives not altogether so long, and yet 

 is reckoned amongst the long livers. 



26. The swan is certainly found to be a long liver, 



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