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America, as well as those of other countries, are recognized as 

 among the most destructive of all animals to game, birds and 

 domestic animals, and therefore the policy of American communi- 

 ties has been for many years to offer bounties for the destruc- 

 tion of these animals as the best means to secure their exter- 

 mination. 



In considering the feeding habits of Felis domestica, the first 

 striking and noteworthy fact that presents itself is that the 

 hunting habits of the species are those of a solitary wild animal. 

 It hunts alone, and will not be guided by human companions. 

 Except in rare cases, it wanders at will, like any predatory wild 

 beast, being as free from all human restraint or control as the 

 lion, tiger, wolf or fox. Naturally nocturnal in habit, it hunts 

 by night more than by day, thus largely concealing its depreda- 

 tions under the cloak of darkness. 



The next important fact to be considered is that it has been 

 introduced into America by man, to destroy other introduced 

 species. It is not needed to maintain the biological balance 

 established here for centuries, and, being released and allowed 

 to run at large and increase with little check, naturally tends to 

 disturb that balance, as all introduced forces may, with unfortu- 

 nate results. 



Having practically exterminated the wild cats of the eastern 

 States, and having passed a national law forbidding the importa- 

 tion of noxious mammals and birds, we have in the meantime 

 introduced another destructive species in vastly larger numbers 

 and disseminated it throughout the land, so that it must live 

 upon the country as the native cats formerly did, except that it 

 has the advantage that, being considered a domesticated animal, 

 it can go with impunity into places where native wild cats would 

 be in danger. It can prowl around houses, gardens, poultry 

 pens and orchards by day or night, where the fox, wolf or lynx 

 would meet with a warm reception. Hence, because of its abun- 

 dance, it has become more destructive to wild life about the 

 dwellings of man than any other wild creature, and therefore 

 more injurious or beneficial to man, according as it feeds, to a 

 greater or less extent, on man's enemies or his friends. 



Destruction of Insectivorous Birds by Cats. 



The widespread dissemination of cats in the woods and in the 

 open or farming country, and the destruction of birds by them, 

 is a much more important matter than most people suspect, and 

 is not to be lightly put aside, as it has an important bearing on 

 the welfare of the human race. 



