164 LLOYD'S NATURAL HISTORY. 
a heavy fine on Cat-killers. As compensation, a payment of 
as much wheat was requirgd as was needed to form a pile 
sufficient to cover over the body of the animal to the tip of 
the tail, the tail being held up vertically, with the Cat’s muzzle 
resting on the ground.” 
Habits—With regard to the habits of Domestic Cats, Jar- 
dine, in the original issue of this volume of the ‘‘ Naturalist’s 
Library,” writes as follows:—‘“‘There is perhaps no animal 
that so soon loses its cultivation, and returns apparently to a 
state nearly wild. A trifling neglect of proper feeding or 
attention will often cause them to depend on their own re- 
sources ; and the tasting of some wild and living food will 
tempt them to seek it again, and to leave their civilised home. 
They then prowl about in the same manner as their wild con- 
geners, crouching among covert, and carefully concealing them- 
selves from all publicity. They breed in the woods or thickets, 
and support themselves upon birds or young animals. Fewexten- 
sive Rabbit-warrens want two or three depredators of this kind, 
where they commit great havoc, particularly among the young 
insummer. They sleep and repose in the holes, and are often 
taken in the snares set for their prey. I once came upon a 
Cat, which had thus left her home; she had newly kittened 
in the ridge of an uncut corn-field. Upon approaching, she 
showed every disposition to defend her progeny, and beside 
her lay dead two half-grown Leverets. We have also known 
Cats, which, though they sought their prey in the woods and 
fields, regularly carried it home before devouring it, and in this 
way various young game and Hares were brought in. 
“Cats are also particularly fond of fish, and in a few instances 
have been known to catch them from shallow streams. ‘There 
is generally, however, a dislike to water, and the examples of 
this departure from their general habits are rare. They will 
often pursue and feed upon some of the larger insects, There 
