BREEDING AND REARING 53 



and switches her tail, seeking freedom whenever 

 possible. This period of oestrum varies from a few 

 days to, it may be, a couple of weeks, and during 

 this time she should be allowed to visit the stud 

 cat, on, say, two occasions, preferably on succeeding 

 days. 



Period of Gestation. 



This is precisely the same as in the dog, viz. 

 nine weeks ; and it is only during the later phases 

 of gestation that a reasonable amount of care need 

 be exercised. 



When a queen is heavy in kitten, the flanks and 

 the belly become considerably enlarged, and later 

 on the teats enlarge ; while, a few days before full 

 time, milk appears, which may be taken as sig- 

 nificant of approaching labour. 



A liberal system of feeding must be followed, 

 and, if possible, she must be allowed exercise. 

 About the end of the eighth week, see that she is 

 provided with a box containing a bed of hay in 

 some secluded position, easily accessible to her 

 at all hours, day and night. 



She will soon regard this in the light it is intended. 

 If all goes well, the delivery of the kittens should 

 be accomplished without any aid, interference 

 being unnecessary and prejudicial at this time. 



Some queens make excellent mothers, others 

 the reverse. 



