244 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 



down on his side and be ready with all four sets of claws 

 to lay hold of anyone attempting to touch him. He was 

 very jealous of any other male cats on the place, and had 

 several pitched battles with Silver Star, a handsome silver 

 tabby I had at that time. 



This Silver Star was rather a character in his way, 

 and the terror of all the torn cats in our neighbourhood ; 

 he was let out for exercise and recreation twice a day, 

 morning and afternoon, and usually devoted most of his 

 leisure to seeking for, and polishing off, any of the cats in 

 the surrounding district, so that when I heard any un- 

 usually piercing feline cries, the first thing I asked was 

 whether Silver Star was at large, as I knew he would be 

 in the thick of any fight that was going on ; but if within 

 sound of my voice he would come back when called, 

 often in a very excited state from his recent exertions to 

 uphold his position as champion. He was a handsome cat, 

 and took many prizes during his show career. 



I do not know whether other breeders have found 

 silver tabby short hairs, especially males, more inclined to 

 stand on their dignity than others, but I have had several 

 that were decidedly very warlike in their disposition. 



One in particular, whose private name was Victor, but 

 in public assumed the title of " Champion Laurel King," 

 and as his father was " Champion King of the Fancy/' and 

 his mother, my " Champion Laurel Queen " (said to be 

 the best short-haired female cat of any variety ever shown, 

 and own sister to Mrs George Herring's celebrated 

 " Champion Jimmy," who probably took more first 

 prizes and specials than any other short-haired male cat 



