ON THE SCARCITY OF BIRDS IN CERTAIN DISTRICTS. 197 



fugitive Sparrows, with nests under the roofs of the houses, or places inac- 

 cessible to such expert climbers. 



These cats are a source of great annoyance to me, seven or eight together 

 are often to be seen on my grass-plot, or scaling the walls, climbing trees, 

 etc. This state of things, I am inclined to think, prevails extensively: 

 for go wherever I will, the creatures appear to be encouraged. In fact, 

 I have to reproach myself for having thoughtlessly countenanced the evil, 

 as you shall hear: — 



When entering this house, in the autumn of last year, two cats were 

 observed prowling about, left, no doubt, by the former tenant.' Every 

 endeavour was used to drive them away, but without success; and whilst 

 I was meditating upon the best way of encompassing their destruction, my 

 domestics pleaded for one of them, saying it was only a kitten, and very 

 pretty, and if I would permit them to keep it, great care should be taken 

 to prevent it getting into the garden, and doing mischief. In an evil 

 hour my consent was given, and little pussy was soon at home, purring 

 round the legs of the kitchen table. Winter passed, as winters generally 

 do — doors and windows closed, and pussy comfortably dozing before the 

 fire. The creature grew, and became a great favourite; but as spring 

 approached, with its genial atmosphere, there was no keeping pussy in, 

 and being U7i chat, soon betrayed the roving character of his gender, not 

 only making an addition to the vagabonds already infesting us, but actually 

 attracted une chatte, (a stranger that we had never observed before,) with 

 whom he held nightly serenades, of such peculiar and unearthly sounds, as 

 to annoy us greatly. Every night his extermination was resolved, but 

 each morning he contrived, stealthily, to get inside, and with soft velvet 

 paws attract notice to his handsome furry skin, and poor tommy's offence 

 was as often forgiven. But Madame meanwhile kept her footing outside, 

 and presently a litter of kittens appeared in one of the outhouses. Thus 

 was the increase of these vermin clearly demonstrated, and my resolution 

 taken for their complete extermination, and again, I regret to say, diverted. 

 Some of my grandchildren happened then to be staying with me, and un- 

 fortunately got acquainted with these kittens before the information of their 

 existence reached me. They have successfully pleaded for two. I now see 

 the consequences of such weakness, and have quite made up my mind what 

 to do coute qui coute. 



I am the more convinced of this being one cause of the loss we are 

 deploring, from the recollection of how differently we were situated at 

 our former residence. There no cat was tolerated, and having no other 

 house immediately adjoining, we were not annoyed by those belonging to 

 others. The feathered tribe were therefore undisturbed, and meeting every 

 encouragement, visited us in considerable numbers. Blackbirds, Thrushes, 



