too 



the cat license is operative (1915) is St. Petersburg, Fla., and 

 Montclair, X. J., has an ordinance under which all owned cats 

 must wear distinguishing tags or collars, and cats not so marked 

 are humanely destroyed. Iowa has a State law under which 

 cats might be taxed, but this opportunity has not yet been 

 utilized. Certain bird lovers oppose the proposed law on the 

 ground that it gives the cats more protection than they now have. 

 Any tax always is unpopular. Nevertheless, there seems no 

 other way to reduce the cat population within reasonable bounds 

 by legislation, and at the same time provide for the enforcement 

 of the law. No one is competent to pass upon the advisability 

 or probable effect of cat license legislation until it has been tried 

 and perfected in the light of experience. No doubt such trial 

 will be made. 



METHODS OF TAKING AND KILLING STRAY OR FERAL CATS. 



!Most cats may be taken easily in a box trap baited with cat- 

 nip tied up in a cloth, or with fish. Cats are inordinately fond 

 of fish, and are strangel}' attracted by the scent of catnip. Some- 

 times in summer when birds are plentiful cats will not come to a 

 trap baited with fish. Catnip is then the best bait. The trap 

 should be large enough to contain any cat and so made that 



Mr. HuntiDgton Smith's humane trap, with details. 



the door or lid latches when it is sprung. A hole may be left 

 open at the back and as the cat will come to this hole for air, it 

 may be shot in the brain with a small rifle or pistol. Such a death 

 is sudden, comes without warning, and as it is absolutely painless 

 it is the most humane death possible. 



