THE SHORT-HAIRED CAT 187 



and I never remember to have seen one of this colour 

 taking part in raids on the chickens in the poultry yard 

 or the nocturnal scrimmages in the back gardens so often 

 heard. They seem to preserve an air of perfect respecta- 

 bility in accordance with their appearance, and act up 

 to it! 



The head should be large and well rounded, with well- 

 filled-out cheeks and fairly strong muzzle on a face of 

 moderate length. 



The ears somewhat large and full, carried very erect, 

 well open in front, tips pointed. 



The eyes round, full, with placid expression, rich 

 yellow with a green glint in them. 



The legs and feet : former strongly made with plenty 

 of bone in them, fairly long, but not leggy ; the latter 

 small and compact. 



The body thick and plump rather than long or 

 flat-sided, and the shape somewhat cobby. 



The tail thick and strong at base, tapering to the 

 point, but not long or mean-looking. 



The coat very dense with a gloss upon it, and not 

 long anywhere. 



The condition should be hard and muscular rather 

 than fat, and the appearance that of an active, but con- 

 tented and comfortable-looking animal. 



The size should be about ten to twelve pounds for 

 males ; and from seven to nine pounds for females. 



The colour is most important. Black is the prevail- 

 ing shade, and should be as dense as possible all over, 

 except the mouth, chin, lips, parts of the cheeks, whiskers 



