DOMESTIC CAT. 



streams and rocks, the AVild cat is still not uncommon ; and I liavc heard their 

 wild and unearthly cry echo far in the quiet night, as they answer and call to 

 each other. I do not know a more harsh and unpleasant cry than that of the 

 Wild Cat, or one more likely to be the origin of superstitious fears in the mind 

 of an ignorant Highlander. 



These animals have great skill in finding their prey, and the damage they do 

 to the game must be very great, owing to the quantity of food which they require. 

 When caught in a trap they fly, without hesitation, at any person who approaches 

 them, not waiting to be assailed. I have heard many stories of their attacking 

 and severely wounding a man, when their escape has been cut off". Indeed, a 

 Wild Cat once flew at me in the most determined manner. I was fishing at a 

 river in Sutherlandshire, and, in passing from one pool to another, had to climb 

 over some rock and broken kind of ground. In doing so, I sank through some 

 rotten heather and moss up to my knees, almost upon a Wild Cat, who was 

 concealed under it. 



I was quite as much startled as the animal herself coidd be, when I saw the 

 wild looking beast so unexpectedly rush out from between my feet, with every 

 hair on her body standing on end, making her look twice as large as she really 

 was. I had three small Skye terriers with me, Avho immediately gave chase, and 

 pursued her till she took refuge in a corner of the rocks, where, perched in a 

 kind of recess out of reach of her enemies, she stood with her hair bristled out 

 and spitting and growling like a common Cat. Having no weapon with me, I 

 laid down my rod, cut a good-sized stick, and proceeded to dislodge her. As 

 soon as I was within six or seven feet of the place, she sprang straight at my face, 

 over the dogs' heads. Had I not struck lier in mid air as she leaped at me, I 

 should probably have got some severe Avound. As it was, she fell Avith her back 

 half broken amongst the dogs, Avho with my assistance, despatched her. I never 

 saw an animal fight so desperately, or one Avhich was so difficult to kill. If a tame 

 Cat has nine lives, a Wild Cat must have a dozen." 



CAT.— 7^d^//6- doiiicstlca. 



Our OAvn Domestic Cat, in all its varieties of white, black, tabby, sandy and 

 tortoiseshell, is too familiar an animal to need any detailed description, and Ave 

 Avill therefore confine ourselves to some anecdotes of its gentle, loving character 

 and clever nature. 



In a chateau of Normandy lived a favourite Cat, Avhicli Avas plentifully supplied 

 with food, and had groAvn fat and sleek on her luxiuious fare. Indeed, so bounte- 



