106 



RECAPITULATION AND CONCLUSION. 



The cat was domesticated within historic times, but did not 

 appear as an inmate of the home in western Europe until about 

 900 A.D. Civilized man managed very well without it for cen- 

 turies. Puss appears to have been domesticated first in Egypt 

 about 1200 to 1600 B.C. by the taming of certain wild African 

 species. 



The household pets of to-day are believed to have descended 

 from African, Asiatic and European species. 



The cat is far more widely kept and distributed than any other 

 domestic animal, and is under less control and restraint than any 

 other. It usually has a greater affection for places than for 

 persons, and tends to return to its home when its owner moves 

 away. Also, it readily abandons its owner, and, often abandoned 

 by him, returns to the wuld. Incalculable numbers of wild or 

 stray house cats now roam the woods and fields of New England. 

 These wild cats attract others from their homes. 



Many, remaining with the owners, are fed insuflBciently or not 

 at all, and having to rely on their own efforts for food, emulate 

 those that have run wild. Many pet cats are allowed to roam 

 the country at night. People keep too many cats, and as the 

 population increases the number of cats increases accordingly. 



The cat, an introduced animal, is not needed here outside of 

 buildings. It has disturbed the biological balance and has be- 

 come a destructive force among native birds and mammals. It 

 is a member of one of the most bloodthirsty and carnivorous 

 families of the mammalia, and makes terrific inroads on weaker 

 creatures. It is particularly destructive to certain insect-eating 

 forms of life, such as birds, moles, shrews, toads, etc. Every 

 year the cats of New England undoubtedly destroy millions of 

 birds and other useful creatures, therefore indirectly aiding the 

 increase of insects which destroy crops and trees. Such insects 

 possibly cost the people of Massachusetts from seven and one- 

 half million to nine million dollars annually. The cat protects 

 them, thus increasing the cost of living to every citizen. The 

 good that cats accomplish in the destruction of field mice, woods 

 mice and insects is of little consequence beside the ravages that 

 they inflict among insectivorous birds and other insect-eating 

 and mouse-eating creatures. 



Cats, selected for their rat-killing propensities, are useful if 

 kept in their proper place in and around buildings, but the 

 species is so destructive to game and to valuable wild life that 

 it should not be allowed to roam, particularly in the country. 



