HAPPY FAMILIES. 177 



has become typical of a very uncomfortable state of existence. 

 There is on the part of all animals a feeling of suspicion and 

 antagonism toward strange animals, even if they are of their own 

 species. We are almost every day witnesses of exhibitions on 

 a smaller scale almost as wonderful as the Happy Family, were 

 it not that their frequency renders them common place. In 

 thousands of households cats and dogs live together, not only 

 without quarreling but on really friendly terms. Frequently 

 have we seen cats and dogs feeding from the same dish, and 

 recollect one instance where a diminutive kitten, in the inno- 

 cence of feline infancy, seized upon one end of a bone which a 

 monstrous watch dog was busily gnawing, without being mo- 

 lested by the dog. It is just as natural for cats to devour birds 

 as for awi beast or bird of prey to devour its victims, and yet 

 we have been familiar with more than one instance of canaiy 

 birds being allowed to fly around a room in which was the 

 household cat, without the cat showing the least disposition to 

 attack them. Had a strange bird came within her reach wo 

 doubt not that same cat would have indulged in a feast at his 

 expense without hesitation. City dogs would make sad havoo 

 among the inhabitants of any poultry yard if allowed admission 

 therein, but let any one of those same dogs become a resident on 

 a farm, let him understand that chickens and turkeys are sacred 

 from his touch and he will soon walk among them as uncon- 

 ciously as though there were no such things in existence. An 

 instance is on record of a cat who had been deprived of her kit- 

 tens, capturing a brood of young rats and suckling them with 

 all the* tenderness of a mother. In this case, however, it would 

 appear that affection for the baby rats was not the motive for 

 this strange act, for as soon as the cat was eased of the incon- 

 venience of her milk, she disposed of her adopted family in a 

 pleasant and efl*ective manner — she ate them up. 



In preparing animals for Happy Families it is usual to keep 

 them in small cages, in the vicinity of each other. Occasionally 

 two animals of different dispositions are placed together, the 

 keeper preventing any fighting and punishing any symptoms of 

 it. When the keeper thinks they may be safely left together 

 he retires to a short distance to wait results. On the least 

 sign of a quarrel he is down upon them, poking and punching 

 and stirring them up generally. If they show no disposition to 

 quarrel they are treated kindly, fed plentifully and permitted 

 to enjoy themselves as much as their restricted quarters will 

 permit. When an animal has thus learned to keep within the 

 bounds of politeness and good breeding he is introduced into 

 the large cage with the grand collection. In this large cage 



