40 The.Carnivora. 
Lo! the cage is empty. There is blood on the bars and a few 
feathers scattered about. In the silent hours of the night, the 
unfortunate bird has been dragged piecemeal through the bars 
of the cage by the cruel talons of that harmless looking Tom, 
who has comfortably slept off the effects of his meal, and now 
comes up purring and rubbing his head against the legs of the 
afflicted children, in brutal unconsciousness of having done 
anything amiss. 
From the ‘vantage ground of my window I witnessed many 
“a battle royal,’ and have always wondered how either of the 
combatants came out of the contest alive. These encounters 
are indeed terrible, carried on as they are with such formidable 
weapons, wielded with such immense strength. Much skill 
is displayed in the approach, and in fencing for an opening. 
The rigid body, raised high on the fore legs, moves forward 
slowly, almost with chameleon-like deliberation, the hind legs 
doubled under it, the ears laid back, the head partially turned 
aside, and the tail curved downwards. For many minutes in 
succession the strangest contortions of the body may be main- 
tained without the motion of a muscle, the faces of the com- 
batants almost touching, each watchful for the least advantage 
in the coming struggle, which seems never about to begin. 
I have not been able to ascertain what actually determines 
the first blow, though the battle may be precipitated by 
throwing a glass of water over the animals. In an instant 
they are rolling over and over, locked in a fast embrace, gnaw- 
ing each other’s heads, while holding on with their fore paws, 
and trying to disembowel each other with their hind legs. The 
business is too serious for much noise. The continuous stifled 
growl and the flying fur betoken the severity of the struggle. 
It cannot last long, for the whole of the nervous and mus- 
cular force is being strained to its utmost. The separation 
is instantaneous, and for several minutes they will stand m-tion- 
less and breathless, waiting for the renewal of the battle. I 
have seen two cats thus engaged for upwards of half an hour, 
with short intervals of rest. Perhaps each may secretly desire 
