CATS. 



THE WILD CAT, 



That tlie wild eat was in aincient times plentiful in Britain, 

 and moreover set down in the category of beasts of chase, is 

 proved by the fact that in a charter granted by Richard II. to 

 the Abbot of Peferborough, permission is given In'm to hunt the 

 hare, fox, and wild cat. Except, however, in certain forests in 

 Cumberland and Westmorland, it is now seldom or never met 

 in England; and even in the districts mentioned, and where 

 some few centuries back it aboxmded, it is a rare thing to meet 

 a wild oat. In Scotland, however, and certain parts of Ireland 

 it is still occasionally found. The following narrative, furnished 

 by Mr. St. John, will demonstrate the sort of creature it is 

 to encounter : — 



" Once, when grouse sljooting, I came suddenly, in a rough 

 and rocky part of the ground, upon a family of two old and 

 three half grown wild cats. In the hanging birch woods that 

 bordered some of the highland streams and rocks the wild cat is 

 stiU not uncommon ; and I have heard their wild and unearthly 

 cries echo afar in the quiet night as they answer and call to 

 each other. I do not know a more harsh and unpleasai^t cry 

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