NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



Method of taking prey. 



neglected to seize whatever prey came inconsi- 

 derately within his reach. Though the glare of 

 sun-shine seemed very unpleasant to him, it was 

 never observed that the pupils of his eyes suffered 

 any contraction. 



During the first month he was kept with a 

 cord tied round his waist, which, without at- 

 tempting to untie, he sometimes lifted up with 

 an air of grief. Our author took charge of him 

 himself, and at the beginning he was bitten four 

 or five times for offering to disturb or take him 

 up ; but gentle chastisement soon corrected these 

 little passions, and he afterwards gave him the 

 liberty of his bed-chamber. Towards night tlfte 

 little animal would rub his eyes, then looking at- 

 tentively round, would climb upon the furniture, 

 or more frequently upon ropes placed for that 

 purpose. 



His master would sometimes tie a bird in the 

 part of the chamber opposite to him, or hold it 

 in his hand, inviting him to approach : he would 

 presently come near with a long careful step, 

 like a person walking on tip-toe, to surprise ano- 

 ther. When within about a foot of his prey he 

 would stop, and rising himself upright, advance 

 gently, stretching out his paw to seize his victim, 

 with remarkable celerity. 



He appeared sensible of caresses, and expres- 

 sed his affection by taking the end of M. D'Ob- 

 sonville's fingers, pressing them, and at the same 

 time fixing his half-open eyes on those of his 

 master. 





