THE DOMESTIC CAT. 147 



of these animals happens to espy a mouse, we see 

 her steal towards the spot, but apparently in a 

 careless and inattentive manner ; her eye, however, 

 fixed on the unsuspecting and playful victim. 

 When she is sufficiently near, she crouches upon 

 her belly for a moment; and then, by a sudden 

 spring, seizes and carries off her prey. The little 

 creature is seldom much injured by the first gripe; 

 for the Cat generally suffers it to run about the 

 room, and plays with it for some time before it is 

 devoured. Her frolicsome attitudes on these occa- 

 sions (during which, however, we cannot refrain 

 from commiserating the fate of the poor Mouse) 

 are often exceedingly graceful and elegant. As 

 soon as the Cat relaxes her jaws, and the little pri- 

 soner begins to move off, she pats it, first with one, 

 and then with the other of her paws. Resting on 

 her hinder feet, she often puts out both her paws, 

 and holds the Mouse gently betwixt them, drawing 

 it towards her, or allowing it again, for a little 

 while, 10 escape. Sometimes she suffers it to run 

 to the distance of a yard or two, as if she were alto- 

 gether careless respecting it, whilst she purrs, raises 

 her back, and rubs herself gently against the wall. 

 She then darts suddenly upon it, again seizes it in 

 her mouth, as at first, and walks off with it to some 

 other place, where, perhaps, she plays over again 

 the same pranks. The unfortunate Mouse has sel- 

 dom much longer respite; but as soon as the Cat 

 becomes tired of these frolics, which do not often 



L 2 last 



