APPENDIX. 
465 
at either side towards the base, but the shaft is more frequently black 
than white in feathers displaying any of the former colour. 
The notes here given, and more particularly those on Larus ricli- 
bundus , are opposed to Mr. Yarr ell’s view. The difference, however, is 
not positive, but in degree only, excepting in the case of the species 
last named, which that gentleman, in the one instance detailed by him, 
describes as attaining the black head of summer without the addition of a 
new feather. Certainly in the preceding instances the change of plumage 
in those parts varying in summer and winter was chiefly owing to new 
feathers, in some of them wholly so. 
AGE OF BIRDS. 
This chapter is introduced to record the age attained by a redbreast 
and cockatoo. The other instances are noticed simply as positive facts, 
coming under the observation of persons whose correctness can be 
relied on, without any reference to their being of unusual occurrence. 
To the Rev. J. Scott Porter I am indebted for the following com- 
munication. 
“Belfast, March 3rd, 1845. 
“ My dear Sir, 
“I sit down, at your request, to put in a written form a circum- 
stance which I lately mentioned to you in conversation, tending to 
show that some of the small birds may attain a much greater age than 
has commonly been suspected. 
“ At Hill-head, near Ballymena, I repeatedly saw a very decent-looking 
man, who lives in Ballymena, but who has some land near the entrance 
to Mr. Gihon’s grounds, feeding a robin-redbreast, which was so tame 
and familiar that he came whenever he was whistled for, and ate his 
food from the extended hand of his friend ; even though a stranger, as 
I was, might be present within a few yards. 
“ This is remarkable, but not wonderful : for the robin is well known 
to be a courageous bird, easily tamed, and capable of attachment; but 
on entering into conversation, Mr. Logan surprised me not a little by 
stating that this identical bird has lived in these habits of intimacy 
with himself, for upwards of thirty years. 
“ He said it w T as in the year 1812 or 1813, that their familiarity 
commenced. He was employed in levelling an old ditch, when the 
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VOL. III. 
