THE CAT 



<^7 



Male Angora Cat 



From painting Ijy E. Landor 



their teeth on this breed. In 

 Switzerland (not in the hotels, 

 be it said) wild cats are eaten, 

 especially in the mountain re- 

 gions. It is easy to distinguish 

 cat from hare by the shape of 

 the skull, which explains why 

 the head never appears on the 

 table when there is an experi- 

 enced f/ief in the kitchen. 



VII. Breeding and Cake 

 OF Cats 



As we have already indi- 

 cated, it is almost impossible 

 to regulate the mating of cats 

 on account of their vagabond 

 habits. If kept outdoors in cages, it can be care than dogs intended for the same purpose. 

 done ; but cats always want to get into the Their wooden cages must be perfect!}' dr)-, 

 house, or to roam at large. They need move- raised some feet above the ground, and \ery 

 ment, and must obey their natures or they carefully divided into compartments by means 

 languish and fall ill. Then, of couise, 

 they have to be released, and ^ 

 there's an end to supemsion 

 High walls and fences \m11 

 not prevent them, as the)' /j 

 will a dog, from roamin, 

 off. Even when kept in 

 a cage and allowed to con- 

 sort with none but those 

 of pure blood, they are 

 very annoying and quar- 

 relsome. At the slight- 

 est difference of opinion 

 with their masters they 

 will growl and hiss and 

 spit, and, if possible, wi 

 strike vigorous blows on 

 the face or hands of their 

 owner, leaving five little red 

 specks that mark the spot 

 where each claw has drawn blood 



In England, however, there are now 

 large "catteries," where pure-blooded 

 animals are lodged, matched, and 



Female Angora Cat 



From painting by E. Landor 



f iion lailings. Each niche should ha\'e 

 stiaw in winter for bedding, and 

 ^ each compartment must be sup- 

 plied with a box of sawdust. 

 f4 Cages made of masonry are 

 \ naturally the best, being- 

 dryer and easier to clean. 

 Sliding wickets allow of 

 the food being pushed in 

 without disturbing the 

 animal or giving it a 

 chance to escape. A layer 

 of peat dust placed imder 

 the cages, and also imder 

 the straw, absorbs much 

 dampness, but it needs to be 

 frequentl)' changed or aired. 

 The breeder for piu'e blood 

 will not obtain satisfactory re- 

 sults for some years, nor until 

 he can convince himself of the 

 qualities of his animals. There are 

 certain prize-winning cats with gene- 

 alogical trees, which would be a joy 



multiplied. The fact is, the English- ■ - - ^^ ^^^ breeder if he could get posses- 



man is a born breeder. Cats that are prepared sion of them. He could then be sure, or nearly 

 to take part in exhibitions require much more sure, of the purity of the blood and of the chances 



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