RATS, MICE, AND CATS. 15 



building also, besides storing quantities of grain and other 

 things under the floor. The result number one was, three 

 cats coming on a visit. Farmyard cats— cats that knew the 

 difference between chickens, ducklings, mice, and rats. 

 Result number two, that after being away a couple of 

 weeks, I went again to my cottage, and I slept un- 

 disturbed in the room late the play-ground of the mice. 

 My chickens and ducklings were safe, and soon the cats 

 allowed the birds to be fed in front of the window, 

 though I could not break them of destroying many of 

 the nests. I never noticed more fully the very great use 

 the domestic cat is to man than on that occasion. All 

 day my cats were indoors, dozy, sociable, and contented. 

 At night they were on guard outside, and doubtless saved 

 me the lives of dozens of my " young things." One after- 

 noon I saw one of my cats coming towards me with 

 apparent difficulty in walking. On its near approach I 

 found it was carrying a large rat, which appeared dead. 

 Coming nearer, the cat put down the rat. Presently I saw 

 it move, then it suddenly got up and ran off. The cat 

 caught it again. Again it feigned death, again got up and 

 ran off, and was once more caught. It laid quite still, when, 

 perceiving the cat had turned away, it got up, apparently 

 quite uninjured, and ran in another direction, and I and 

 the cat — lost it ! I was not sorry. This rat deserved his 

 liberty. Whether it was permanent I know not, as " Little- 

 john," the cat, remained, and I left. 



The cat is not only a very useful animal about the house 

 and premises, but is also ornamental. It is Hthe and beau- 

 tiful in form, and graceful in action. Of course there are 

 cats that are ugly by comparison with others, both in form, 

 colour, and markings ; and as there are now cat shows, at 

 which prizes are offered for varieties, 1 will endeavour to 

 give, in succeeding chapters, the points of excellence as 

 regards form, colour, and markings required and most 

 esteemed for the different classes. I am the more induced 

 to define these as clearly as possible, owing to the number 

 of mistakes that often occur in the entries. 



