212 EVERSLEY GARDENS 



the other, on those broad wings that seem 

 to be made of cobwebs rather than of feathers, 

 would sweep softly and swiftly over the heads 

 of the wretched, bewildered kittens, till they 

 ran anywhere for safety from such strange 

 elusive foes. Swallows, too, love to torment 

 cats ; and I have even seen them dip and 

 tweak a cat's ear if it was walking below 

 their nest. 



A very fierce and aggressive pair of visitors 

 arrived four Summers ago in the garden, and 

 were warmly welcomed ; for they had not been 

 seen round here for several years the red- 

 backed Shrike, or Butcher-bird. A bold and 

 noble fellow he is, fearing neither man nor cat, 

 as I found to my cost on hot July days when 

 I tried to get a little rest in the shade. For 

 no sooner had I settled down with book and 

 paper, than the ancient Gogol not the poet, 

 but the cat joined me ; and then arrived both 

 the shrikes. Furious at the unpleasing sight, 

 they perched on the boughs almost within 

 reach of my hand, flirting their tails from side 

 to side, and uttering such harsh, discordant 



