Notes from Field and Study 
I took them from the nest and set them 
ona limb some ten to twelve feet from the 
nest, and the parent birds came and fed 
them regularly. After I had taken several 
pictures, I returned the birds to the nest.— 
J. M. Scurecxk, Naramata, B.C. 
The Cat Question 
Replying to Mr. Edgar Boyer of 
Sparks, Nevada, on ‘Our Duty to Our 
149 
a male, should be retained out of each 
family born. All the rest should be at once 
put to sleep. Let humane societies and 
humane. people prosecute, put to shame, 
frown upon and ostracize all cat-deserters. 
Large numbers of cats are deserted, 
especially at vacation time. They must 
hunt or starve. Mr. Boyer says, “their 
every movement is emblematic of dis- 
trust and thievishness.”” They have good 
cause to distrust man, and all would steal, 
A LEAST FLYCATCHER FAMILY 
Photographed by J. M. Schreck 
Bird Tenants,’ and to Mrs. Mabel Osgood 
Wright, ‘Cats and Crows,’ in Brrp-Lorr 
for May—June, there seem but two meth- 
ods, educational and legal, by which the 
cat question can ever be humanely settled, 
with just regard for the rights of people, 
birds and cats. 
First, by education. Educate all, especi- 
ally the coming generation, to appreciate 
the fact that it is an offence against 
society, human, cat and bird, to allow 
cats to run wild and reproduce unchecked. 
If a female be kept, -a doubtful luxury for 
any cat- and bird-lover,—but one kitten, 
if starving. No animal is so often neg- 
lected as the cat. The popular idea is that 
cats can shift for themselves; hence these 
cruelties to cats, birds and the compas- 
sionate. 
The second method, which should 
supplement the first, is a legal one. Tax 
all cats, as all dogs are taxed, and the evil 
will be struck at the root. Then, and then 
only, shall we know who owns the cat. 
The race will improve, and starving mon- 
grels disappear, to the betterment of all, 
themselves included. Those appreciating 
a fine cat, properly restricted, and wishing 
