244 BRITISH QUADRUPEDS. 



being given, she laid her head very quietly down on one 

 of its sides ; but, as she did not do this so completely as 

 she could, she put it quite down when again told to do 

 so. A small piece of meat was then given as the reward 

 of her obedience, and she entered her dwelling directly 

 she was told. This cat at one time suckled three rats. 

 Since the time now referred to, the attention of the 

 writer was directed to a cat in the same exhibition, 

 engaged with her kittens. A rat was at this time in a 

 small box a little above them, when Austin told him 

 he would find a warmer place among the kittens, and in 

 a moment he descended from his place, and tried the 

 experiment, without any of the party appearing in the 

 slightest degree disconcerted. 



It would seem that there is, in the case of Austin's 

 animals, not only association, but attachment. The birds, 

 it is said, being set at liberty, soon return to their com- 

 panions, though among these appear the cat, the hawk, 

 and the owl ! But, it is a curious fact, that when 

 animals cannot associate with their own species, they 

 form companionships of a very singular character. The 

 author of " The Menageries," for instance, states the 

 following circumstance : " We were lately visiting in 

 a house, where a very pleasing and singular portrait 

 attracted our observation : it was that of a young lady, 



