THE WILD CAT 
This species inhabits wild wooded districts in most of the European 
countries. 
In England it has long been extinct, and the same may be said of 
Wales, but in the more remote deer-forests of the Highlands of Scot- 
land it still exists, chiefly in Argyllshire, the north-western parts of 
Inverness-shire, Ross-shire, and the Reay Forest, Sutherland. 
The Wild Cat still holds its own or did quite recently in the wilds 
of Knoydart on the west coast, where it has a typical fastness in the 
forest sanctuary, a rough rocky hill clothed with birches and old rowans, 
whence in the winter months it sallies forth to prey on rabbits or 
game in the home plantations. The true Wild Cat has never inhabited 
Ireland. 
Mr. Millais, in his Mammals of Great 'Britain and Ireland (vol. i. 
p. 176) has graphically described its methods of attack as follows: 
" Emerging at dawn and before sunset, this stealthy animal creeps in 
and out of the forest growth and rocks looking for its prey. When 
the victim is discovered it is carefully stalked by sight alone until closely 
approached, when the Cat rushes in with a series of immense forward 
bounds. So swift is this final attack that four-footed game finds it 
impossible to escape, even if its terror-paralysed nerves did not benumb 
its muscles." 
Charles St. John, who was well acquainted with this animal, says 
{Wild Sports and 3^tural History of the Highlands, 8th ed. pp. 
44"45) •■ " Inhabiting the most lonely and inaccessible ranges of rock 
and mountain, the wild cat is seldom seen during the daytime ; at 
night (like its domestic relative) he prowls far and wide, walking with 
the same deliberate step, making the same regular and even track, 
and hunting its game in the same tiger-like manner ; and yet the difference 
in the two animals is perfectly clear. ... In the hanging birchwoods that 
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