Zoology, 275 



mousers (see this opinion stated Vol. IV. p. 5 13.), and rendered 

 as useless in their trade as ladies* lapdogs. This, however, 

 though it may be true in particular instances, is very far from 

 being invariably the case. I have known many instances of 

 favourite cats, petted and well fed, which yet have proved 

 most expert and diligent in their proper calling, and, I may 

 say, at the head of their profession, destroying all kinds of 

 vermin, as well as birds, reptiles, and insects ; and among the 

 latter the common white butterflies, moths, and cockchafers, 

 which puss would catch with great adroitness, and somewhat 

 grotesque agility, while on the wing. Yours, &c. — W, T, 

 Bree, Alledey Rectory^ Jan. 11. 1832. 



CatSi like many, if not all, domestic animals, are the best 

 servants when well fed. The half-starved cat is a cunning, 

 thievish, cowardly creature, more likely to fly from than at a 

 rat ; but when in heart is bold and active, appearing to delight 

 in the pursuit of vermin, and to enjoy it as an agreeable 

 amusement, as he kills more than he eats. Some cats have 

 even been trained to assist in killing vermin on the removal 

 of corn-ricks, and they kill them with far greater quickness 

 and certainty than the terrier. — J. C. Farmer, Nov, 29. 1 831. 



Feline SjporUman, — I saw a cat at Dorking, last summer, 

 who pursued mice with true sportsmanlike feeling. He never 

 eat his game, but uniformly laid it at the feet of the first per- 

 son he found of the family, and, having drawn attention to 

 his trophy, walked away with an air of proud satisfaction to 

 the performance of fresh exploits. — J, W, L, 



The article by Cattus, Vol. IV. p. 51 1., and the remarks by 

 A. R. y., Vol. V. p. 51, 52., and the note, are farther ampli- 

 fications of feline history. — J, D. 



A Kitten resembling a Rabbit in its hinder Half. — Sir, As 

 you admit physiological subjects, perhaps the following may 

 not be unacceptable to some of your readers. The subject is 

 the production of a domestic cat; and amongst the five kittens 

 she produced is one which, from its singularity of appearance, 

 excites general observation. Its head, teeth, fore legs, and 

 claws, arid its body to the termination of the short ribs, are 

 those of a perfectly formed cat ; the hind quarters, with the 

 short turned up tail, legs, and claws, bear every resemblance 

 to a rabbit, and these parts have the action peculiar to that 

 animal. The singularity of the contrast is particularly re- 

 markable ; the animal having the playful tricks of a kitten, 

 while its hind quarters are too clumsy and slow-motioned to 

 correspond with the quick and lively movements of its fore 

 half. In running, it has the action of a kitten with its fore 

 legs, and the hop of a rabbit with its hind. I do not mean to 

 say the separation is as distinctly marked as in the fabled 



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