254 
It is probable that the common domestic 
cat is mainly derived from 
the Felis chaus of Africa. A 
noticeable reversion to the 
original type is to be found in those cats 
commonly known as Abyssinian or Bunny 
cats, many of which exactly resemble what 
ene would reasonably expect the Egyptian 
cat to become after some generations of 
domestic life. We recently saw an excellent 
specimen of exactly the colour of a Felis 
chaus, even carrying the resemblance so far 
as to exhibit on each ear a tiny tuft of hair, 
which is seen in the Chaus cat, and marks 
the gradual approach 
to the Lyncine group. 
A pretty group of 
departed stars of the 
catty world is de- 
picted on the opposite 
page. 
These cats were 
Manx Champion 
“Katzenjammer,” 
Manx Champion 
“ Bonhaki,’ and the 
Abyssinian “ Sedge- 
mere Peaty.” Since 
“Peaty’s” death, 
no really first-class 
Abyssinian has been 
exhibited in this 
country. 
There is a very 
great difference be- 
tween a Manx cat 
and a tailless cat, 
Domestic 
Cats. 
though the difference 
does not seem to be appreciated by certain 
“judges” who gaily award prizes to cats 
wofully lacking in Manx quality, if only 
they are large and well-marked. Of late 
years, however, Manx owners have livened 
up, and competent judges have more often 
been appointed. <A great characteristic of 
the Manx is its immense length of hind- 
leg, which gives it a rabbit-like appearance, 
especially when in motion. This is excel- 
lently shown in our portrait of “ King Clinkie,” 
Mrs. H. C. Brooke’s Manx, which won two 
first prizes and the championship at the last 
show held by the National Cat Club. 
BUNNY CAT. 
Animal Life 
There is, of course, no~ breed of cats 
indigenous to Australia, but, amongst others, 
a strain of cats has formed itself exhibiting 
very marked characteristics which, however, 
lead us to agree with an American author 
who asserts the probability that they are 
derived from imported cats of Hastern origin, 
possibly Siamese. Very curious is the little 
grey spotted cat here shown, though un- 
happily the position does not bring out his 
ereat length of hind leg nor his peculiar 
rather long and tiger-shaped nose, which, 
seen sideways, gives him a queer expression. 
He has, like his mother and his brothers 
and sisters, a triple 
kink in his tail. 
For all the photo- 
graphs of cats on 
these two pages we 
are indebted to Mrs. 
H. C. Brooke, who 
kindly allowed her 
pets to “sit” to our 
photographer. The 
group of champions, 
however, is from a 
photograph lent to 
us by their owner ; 
the three others were 
taken especially for 
ANIMAL LIFE. 
Wa 
Apropos of cats, the 
following story sent 
to us for publication 
by a correspondent is interesting as an 
A Cat’s Idea ©Xample of animal ethics. We 
_ of regret we have not space to 
Discipline. ive a reproduction of the photo- 
eraph sent of the kitten whose mother 
showed she held such very decided opinions 
concerning parental discipline, and the right, 
where necessary, of inflicting corporal punish- 
ment. Our correspondent writes: “I called 
the kitten, who sprang from the basket where 
she had been lying with her mother and 
followed me into the next room. The cat 
followed, growling warningly, and, taking it up 
by the neck, replaced it in the basket. Again 
I called it, and again it came at my call. 
