Quick question re: phoenix life cycles

[Kim]

No: HPFGUIDX 82156

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, Yahtzee63 at a... wrote:
> Traditionally, I know, the phoenix is supposed to live for 100 years
before dying in flames and being reborn. But is this canonical in the
Potterverse? I can't remember whether JKR mentions it or not. To me,
it seems as though Dumbledore has seen Fawkes go through a few cycles,
and as Dumbledore's not as old as Nicholas Flamel, that would seem to
suggest that Fawkes dies/is reborn far more frequently. But all my
flipping through the first two books has yielded no answers -- maybe
I'm just missing it. Can anyone clarify this for me? Please feel free
to email me offlist, if you have the answer --
> 
> 
> 
> Yahtzee


In JKR's Comic Relief Book, "Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them",
there is a listing for "PHOENIX" on page 32:

"The phoenix is a magnificent, swan-sized, scarlet bird with a long
golden tail, beak, and talons.   It nests on mountain peaks and is
found in Egypt, India, and China.   The phoenix lives to an immense
age as it can regenerate, bursting into flames when its body begins to
fail and rising again from the ashes as a chick.   The phoenix is a
gentle creature that has never been known to kill and eats only herbs.
  Like the Diricawl (see page 9), it can disappear and reappear at
will.   Phoenix song is magical;  it is reputed to increase the
courage of the pure of heart and to strike fear into the hearts of the
impure.   Phoenix tears have powerful healing properties."

So, I'm sorry, Yahtzee, but there is no canonical lifespan listed.  I
do find it interesting that it indicates that Harry is, indeed, pure
of heart (for those of you arguing that Harry is too nasty a teenager
to be a true hero).

---Kimberley