THE SHORT-HAIRED CAT 197 



are only second in rarity to the Tortoiseshell males. I 

 hope to give his portrait as one of the illustrations to this 

 sketch, and a champion of Lady Alexander's as the other. 



To be ideally marked, the tortoiseshell should be the 

 predominant feature, but in very many we see at the 

 shows and elsewhere, there is a great deal too much 

 white, which takes off from the rich appearance of the 

 colouring, and seems to diminish the size. 



I have found them quite equal to the Tortoiseshells 

 as vermin killers and mothers, and very docile and 

 gentle in their manners. I think they are more inclined to 

 attach themselves to their owners than most varieties, and 

 very playful and fond of fun long after they are adults. 



Several that I have had have been most friendly with 

 some of my dogs, and delighted to have a thorough romp 

 on the lawn with them, always taking to the trees when 

 the play became too fast and furious for them. 



The head should be small, round, and with a short 

 face, but not too pinched in muzzle. 



The ears rather large and open, with erect carriage. 



The eyes wide open, round, lustrous and sharp- 

 looking, orange yellow in colour. 



The legs long, without giving a leggy appearance, 

 and not strong in bone ; the feet small and round shaped. 



The body and neck inclined to be long, shoulders and 

 quarters rather narrow, and somewhat flat at sides. 



The tail should be long, moderately thick at base 

 and tapering to the point, not mean-looking. 



The coat should be glossy, fine and- short, lying 

 closely to the skin. 



