142 The Book of Cats, 



and never did it again. She had shown her grati- 

 tude for the lady's care of her httle ones, and her 

 duty was done. 



A gentleman, residing in . Sussex, had a Cat 

 which showed the greatest attachment for a young 

 blackbird, which was given to her by a stable-boy 

 for food a day or two after she had been deprived 

 of her kittens. She tended it with the greatest 

 care ; they became inseparable companions, and 

 no mother could show a greater fondness for her 

 offspring than she did for the bird. 



This incongruity of attachment in animals will 

 generally be found to arise either from the feelings 

 of natural affection which the mother is possessed 

 of, or else from that love of sociability, and dislike 

 of being alone, which is possessed, more or less, by 

 every created being. 



A Horse and Cat were great friends, and the 

 latter generally slept in the manger. When the 

 horse was about to be fed, he always took up the 

 Cat gently by the skin of the neck, and dropped 

 her into the next stall, that she might not be in his 

 way while he was feeding. At other times, he was 

 pleased to have her near him. 



Mr. Bingley tells of a friend of his who had a 

 Cat and Dog that were always fighting. At last 



