The Household Cat 37 



ness in keeping premises free from rats and mice. 

 The chief objection to them is that they do not al- 

 ways distinguish between animals that are to be pro- 

 tected and those that are to be destroj^ed. They 

 often prey upon the birds about the premises and 

 even on young chickens. 



Fig. 12. The household pet 



In country places cats require no special care or 

 attention except such as may be given to fancy in- 

 dividuals. Milk and table scraps, supplemented by 

 what they gather in foraging, furnish a good variety 

 of food. In cities, where it is necessary to confine 

 them, the problem is more difficult. If possible the 



