NOTES AND QUERIES. 31 



after the snow had entirely disappeared. A cinder-covered pathway 

 runs through the grass not far from the feeding-place, and on this 

 one morning was seen a black Cat surrounded by Pheasants — both 

 cocks and hens — some of which occasionally approached to within 

 two or three feet. All the birds — twenty-seven of which were counted 

 at one time, this being a greater number than had been previously 

 seen together — were watching the Cat with evidently the highest 

 interest, stepping round and gradually drawing nearer and nearer. 

 The object of their scrutiny lay quietly crouching on the ground, 

 now and again turning over on her back and rolling from side to side, 

 her paws and tail waving in the air. Then a sudden spring would be 

 made at the nearest bird, but this meeting with no success caused 

 only temporary alarm, and she was very soon once more as closely 

 surrounded. This manoeuvre was several times repeated, the whole 

 performance lasting altogether about half an hour after it was first 

 observed. By this time the Cat had evidently tired of her unsuccess- 

 ful attempts, and walked away quietly up the grassy slope, finally 

 disappearing into the covert, still followed by a straggling line of 

 fascinated Pheasants, a picture vividly suggesting a new version of 

 the " Pied Piper." It may be mentioned that the Cat in question 

 was quite young, which may account for the absence of fatal results 

 for the intended victims, supposing that the game itself did not pro- 

 vide sufficient charm and fascination. I am told that a Cat had been 

 previously observed near the same place, and apparently being mobbed 

 by a number of Pheasants, but no special notice was taken at the time 

 of the occurrence. The hunting Cat is very generally considered 

 one of the most destructive of the varied animals included in the list 

 labelled "Vermin," and the habit described above seems to record 

 another black mark against an already damaged character. — D. M. A. 

 Bate (Bassendean House, Gordon, Berwickshire). 



The Queensland Dugong (Halicore sp.).* — Queensland differs 

 from the other Australian States in having a rich and picturesque 

 tropical region, with a coast-line of fifteen hundred miles. Amongst 

 the inhabitants of Queensland waters the Dugong is the most remark- 

 able. It has died out of, or been killed off in, almost every other 

 part of the world, and if something protecting and encouraging be 

 not done the time is approaching when even the Australian tropics 



* According to Mr. Lydekker, "although it has been considered that the 

 Dugong of the Eed Sea and also the one found on the Australian coasts are 

 specifically distinct front the Indian Dugong {Halicore dugong), this is 

 extremely doubtful." — Ed. 



