1901 A. R. WINNINGTON-INGRAM— CATS 305 



a good specimen, they buy it and take it away. The Manx 

 cats, besides being tail-less, are shorter on their fore-legs 

 than ordinary cats. I may also mention that the Japan 

 cats of Koemfer have likewise very short tails, or are de- 

 ficient in those appendages altogether. 



Having always been fond of cats, I have observed their 

 habits very closely, and have remarked the strong evidence 

 afforded, that the cat is a solitary animal. The way in 

 which a cat takes its food is a sure sign that in its natural 

 state it is not in the habit of associating with greedy com- 

 panions. When given something to eat, a cat first smells 

 the morsel and then takes it in a deliberate manner, and 

 sits down to finish it at its leisure. Unless a cat has got 

 something which it likes very much, such as a fish, a 

 mouse, or a bird, it allows people to approach it without 

 jealousy. And, moreover, when a cat has caught a rat 

 or a mouse, it will often bring it into the house, and 

 lay it down near some person of whom it is fond, and 

 offer it to him, making at the same time a kind of humming 

 affectionate call-note ; and if the person is in another room, 

 the cat will try to attract his attention by rubbing against 

 him, and by this humming note, so that he may follow it 

 to where the prey is laid. 



Cats are said to attach themselves to places, and not to 

 people, but that is only partially true. For I have a cat 

 who is so attached to me that he will walk with me for a 

 considerable distance ; and when he has gone as far with 

 me as he chooses, he will hide himself near the spot where 

 I left him, and wait an hour or more for me ; and when I 

 return he will spring out of his hiding place with great 

 demonstration of pleasure, and accompany me home. This 

 cat is, also, so bold that he will come with me, with my 

 gun and dogs, and stand close to me, quite unconcerned 

 at the report of the gun, and then will rush to get what is 

 shot. 



