90 



THE BEASTS OF PREY. 



out again. The paws also seem endowed with an 

 exquisite sense of touch. The entire family of Cats 

 is very sensitive ; being susceptible to all external 

 impressions ; showing decided dissatisfaction under 

 disagreeable influences and a high degree of con- 

 tentment under agreeable ones. When one strokes 

 their fur they exhibit a great deal of pleasure ; 

 while if the fur is wet or subjected to similar repul- 

 sive impressions, they display great discomfort. 

 Their smell and taste are about equal in degree, 

 though perhaps taste may be somewhat the more 

 acute of these two senses. Most Cats appreciate 

 dainty morsels, in spite of their rough tongue. The 

 remarkable predilection of certain species for strong- 

 smelling plants, like valerian, admits only of the 

 conclusion-that the sense of smell is very deficient, 

 as all animals with a well-developed organ of smell 

 would shrink from them -with disgust ; while Cats 

 jump around these plants and act as though they 

 were intoxicated. 



Mental En- As to intellect Cats are inferior to 

 dowmeni of the Dogs, but not to such an extent 

 Cat Tribe. as is commonly supposed. We 

 must not forget that when instituting a comparison 

 we always have in mind two species that can 

 scarcely be regarded as fair standards: on the one 

 hand the domestic Dog, systematically bred for 

 thousands of years, and on the other the neglected 

 and often ill-treated domestic Cat. The majority of 

 the Felidae show a higher development of the lower 

 instincts than of those that are noble and elevating ; 

 yet even our Pussy demonstrates that the Cat family 

 is capable of education and mental elevation. The 

 domestic Cat often furnishes instances of genuine 

 affection and great sagacity. Man usually takes no 

 pains to investigate its faculties, but yields to estab- 

 lished prejudice and seems incapable of independent 

 examination. The character of most species is a 

 blending of quiet deliberation, persevering cunning, 

 blood-thirstiness and foolhardiness. In their asso- 

 ciation with Man they soon lose many of the char- 

 acteristics of the wild state. They then acknowl- 

 edge human supremacy, are grateful to their owner, 

 and like to be petted and caressed. In a word, 

 they become perfectly tame, althpugh their deep- 

 rooted, natural faculties may break out at any mo- 

 ment. This is the principal reason why the Cats are 

 called false and malicious ; for not even the human 

 being who habitually torments and ill-treats animals 

 accords them the right of revolting now and then 

 against the yoke of slavery. 



The Cats are well distributed throughout the New 

 and the Old World, except in Australia, where only 

 the domestic Cat is found, many of which have 

 there degenerated into the wild state. They inhabit 

 plains and mountains, arid localities and marshy dis- 

 tricts, forests and fields. 



Food and The food of the feline family con- 

 Hunting Methods sists of all kinds of vertebrates, pref- 



of Felines. erably mammals. Some show a pre- 

 dilection for birds, a few others are fond of Turtles, 

 and some even go fishing. All species pursue the 

 same methods when attacking their destined prey. 

 With stealthy footfall they creep over their hunting 

 ground, listening and looking in all directions. The 

 slightest noise makes them alert and incites them to 

 investigate its origin. They cautiously glide along 

 in a crouching position, always advancing against 

 the wind. When they think themselves near 

 enough, they take one or two leaps, fell their prey 

 by a blow in the neck with one of their fearful paws. 



seize it with their teeth and bite it a few times. 

 Then they open their mouth slightly but without 

 letting go of the victim ; they watch whether any 

 sign of life remains, and then again close the teeth 

 upon it. Many of them utter a roar or a growl at 

 this time, which expresses greed and anger as much 

 as satisfaction, and the tip of the tail wags to and 

 fro. The majority have the cruel habit of torment- 

 ing their prey, seemingly giving it a little liberty, 

 sometimes even letting it run a short distance, but 

 only to pounce upon it at an opportune moment, 

 and then repeat the operation over and over, until 

 the animal dies of its wounds. The largest members 

 of the Cat family shun animals which offer great re- 

 sistance, only attacking such prey when experience 

 has taught them that they' can do so successfully. 

 The Lion, Tiger and Jaguar, at first acquaintance, 

 fear'M^n and avoid him in a most cowardly manner. 

 It is only when they have seen how easily he is con- 

 quered that some of them get to be his most formid- 

 able enemies. Though nearly all Felidae are good , 

 runners, yet most of them give up their intended 

 prey if they do not succeed in the first attempt. It 

 is only in secluded places that they will eat their 

 prey on the field of capture. Usually they bear 

 away the killed or mortally wounded animal to a 

 quiet hiding-place, where they devour it at their 

 leisure. 

 The Cat Kind As a rule the female gives birth to 

 and Its several cubs at a litter, but seldom to 

 Young. one only. Generally the number 

 varies between one and six ; although some species 

 are declared to have more than the latter number. 

 The father, as a rule, is indifferent or hostile to the 

 offspring, the responsibility and care resting upon 

 the mother. A feline mother with her young ones is 

 a very pleasing spectacle. Motherly tenderness and 

 solicitude are expressed in every gesture and in 

 every sound, the voice being gentle and soft to a 

 surprising degree. Her watchfulness is so unremit- 

 ting that one cannot doubt the absorbing love she 

 has for them. It is very gratifying to observe how 

 carefully she trains them from earliest youth in 

 habits of extreme cleanliness. She cleans, licks and 

 smooths their fur unceasingly, and will tolerate no 

 dirt near the lair. At the approach of a foe she de- 

 fends her offspring with utter disregard for her own 

 life, and at such times the mothers in all the larger 

 species are most formidable enemies. In many 

 species the dam must protect her little ones from 

 their father, who, if not prevented, will enter the lair 

 and devour them while in their stage of blindness. 

 This, probably, is the origin of the feline habit of 

 mothers hiding their little ones. When the latter 

 have grown somewhat older, the aspect changes, and 

 they have nothing more to fear from the father. 

 Then begins the merry childhood of the little ani- 

 mals, for they are full of fun and play. Their nature 

 is revealed in the first movements and emotions, 

 their play being nothing but a preparation for fhe 

 serious hunts of their adult life. Everything that 

 moyes attracts their notice ; no noise escapes them ; 

 the slightest rustle makes the little listeners prick up 

 their ears. The earliest delight of these young ones 

 is their mother's tail. They first watch it in its 

 movements, and soon the whole mischievous com- 

 pany tries to catch it. The mother is not in the least 

 disconcerted, but continues to express her moods by 

 the wagging of that member. In a few weeks the 

 little ones are able to indulge in the liveliest romps 

 and the mother joins them, no matter whether she be 



