456 EGGS HATCHED BY A CAT. 



from her nest containing nine eggs, which Faldin carried 

 home for the purpose of placing them under a hen. On 

 his arrival, however, and whilst making inquiries after a 

 suitable dry-nurse, the eggs were laid on a bed, provided 

 with a sheep-skin coverlid, on which a cat and her kittens 

 then some eight days old had previously taken up their 

 abode. This was on the 19th of last May, after which 

 time the cat and the kittens the former ftfr the most part, 

 the latter constantly continued to keep them warm, and that 

 without a single egg being injured, or out of its place. 



" On Tuesday, the 2?th of May, the first of the ducklings 

 was hatched, on which Mrs. Faldin considered it most pru- 

 dent immediately to separate the otherwise well-conducted 

 cat from her young step-children, which, nevertheless, were 

 allowed to remain alongside of their four-footed foster- 

 brothers ; for these, although born with a savage nature, 

 she conceived not sufficiently old to allow themselves to be 

 tempted. The following day Mrs. Faldin's sensible and 

 motherly care was crowned with a successful issue, for four 

 more ducklings were hatched, and all six found themselves 

 very well satisfied with the warmth they derived from the 

 kittens. On Thursday, the 29th, a seventh egg was also 

 vivified, the remaining two proving rotten. 



" During the space of near a week, Mrs. Faldin was fortu- 

 nate enough to retain all the seven alive. During this time 

 they drank milk like the kittens, and swam and disported 

 themselves in a tub of water placed at hand for the purpose ; 

 the old cat looked on with great seeming gratification, and 

 purred, and gambolled about the vessel. Their food after- 

 wards consisted of grits alone. But the best intentions are 

 at times the cause of the greatest misfortunes ; and so it 



