MAMMALS. 49 



found in other wooded districts of England, and certainly 

 in the adjoining parts of North Wales. It is reported 

 traditionally that a Wild Cat was killed after a des- 

 perate fight with dogs in the Corve Dale early in the 

 century, and there may be some truth in the report, as 

 the district around Ludlow is suited to its habits on 

 account of the extensive and secluded woods affording 

 safe retreat. The Wild Cat is now extinct in England, 

 and is only known to linger still in two portions of the 

 old Caledonian Forest in Scotland. Its disappearance is 

 not surprising, for it is a sad poacher, besides which it is 

 so fierce that if attacked it does not hesitate to turn on 

 dog or man, and so strong that it can inflict terrible 

 injuries with teeth and claws. It seems to be quite 

 untameable, for even if taken while young and brought 

 up in the house the kittens snarl at those who bring 

 them food, and pine away gradually. For this reason, 

 amongst others, it is now generally admitted that our 

 domestic race of Cats is not derived from the European 

 Wild Cat, though the two will interbreed. The most 

 obvious difference between the Tame and Wild Cat is 

 in the tail ; in the former it is almost as long as the 

 body and tapering, while in the latter it is much shorter, 

 bushy, and does not taper at all. The Wild Cat is 

 also much larger, stouter built, and stronger. The 

 total length of a full-grown male is nearly 4 feet (of 

 which the tail measures only 1 1 inches), but the female 

 is smaller. The fur is always striped, and the general 

 colour grey ; the tail ringed with black and ending in a 

 black tuft, and the soles of the feet always black. The 

 female is lighter coloured generally. There is a stuffed 

 specimen in the possession of Col. Cotes, at Pitchford 



