CH. XXX. CATS CARRIER-PIGEONS. 157 



returning, when the process was over, to perform the 

 same service to another kitten left at home. In 

 this instance the cat lived in a large town ; through 

 some of the streets of which, as well as a good mile 

 of the outskirts, she had to take her nightly walk. 

 Many a danger from boy and dog the poor animal 

 must have gone through during her peregrinations ; 

 nothing, however, stopped her as long as the kitten 

 required her maternal attention. Notwithstanding 

 these amiable traits in the feline character, I must 

 condemn the cat as an animal who in general repays 

 all the care and kindness of her master with but 

 little strength of affection. Indeed her instincts 

 seem to attach her only to the fireplace or loft in 

 which she has been accustomed to live, and not to 

 the kind hand which feeds her. Some instances of 

 love for their owners I have known ; but, in com- 

 parison with that shown by dogs, they are rare and 

 slight, although the domestic bringing up of, and 

 kindness shown to, cats is often greater, and less 

 mixed with the severe correction often inflicted 

 upon dogs. 



The sense which leads the carrier-pigeon hun- 

 dreds of miles in so short a time, and in so direct a 

 course, is inexplicable. After circling for a few 

 moments, the bird decides unhesitatingly on its 

 exact line of flight, though it may never have seen 



