236 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 



objection to the saucy sparrows, and even sometimes 

 pigeons, who descend to pick up any unconsidered trifles 

 remaining from his repast. 



Cats are known to have an especial talent for finding 

 their way back to a home for which they had acquired a 

 liking. I have personally known many such cases, but 



* will relate one I believe to be perfectly true : 



The late Mr Shor treed, Sheriff-Substitute of Roxburgh- 

 shire, once sent a cat from the neighbourhood of Jedburgh 

 to a friend in Liddesdale. 



She was put into a bag, and despatched by the carriers' 



* cart. Thus mewed up, it is quite impossible she could 

 from observation have acquired any knowledge of the 

 geography of the country, and yet she contrived to find 

 her way back to her old home, a distance of nearly thirty 

 miles, long before the return of the carrier. 



My own idea is, that cats when at large explore the 

 surrounding country, probably for many miles, particularly 

 those cats which are allowed out at night, when few people 

 are about, and by this means become acquainted with the 

 leading features of the locality they are in, and, in case of 

 being Sent away, turn their knowledge to account should 

 they desire to return to the old home. 



Nothing can exceed the affection of the mother cat, 

 for her kittens, she tends them with the utmost care and 

 is always on the watch to supply them amply with food. 



If she fancies any danger threatens them, she is often 

 seen to carry them, one by one, to a place of safety, and, 

 if any are taken away from her, makes every effort to dis- 

 cover and restore the missing offspring. 



