IN A GULLERY 
109 
disposition ; yet, under certain circumstances, she will act as a 
model foster-mother. If her kittens are taken away and replaced 
by young squirrels, rabbits, or leverets, she will suckle and bring 
them up as she would her own offspring. Last year a batch of 
young squirrels were consigned to the London County Council 
for turning out in the Metropolitan Parks. Some of them were 
found to have been removed too early from the “ drey ” or nest, 
being incapable of feeding themselves. At this juncture a cat 
was obtained which had just had kittens, and for these the squir- 
rels were substituted, and in due course successfully reared. 
About the same time a remarkable exhibition took place at an 
inn near Witley, in Surrey. A cat was shown nursing an 
interesting family consisting of two kittens, a squirrel, and no 
less than seven rabbits. Statements have appeared in print 
of similar feline good offices towards rats and mice, but it is 
extremely doubtful how far they could be authenticated. Pro- 
bably whilst the cat’s behaviour savours of maternal feeling, it 
is principally dictated by functional causes arising from a natural 
desire to relieve herself of her milk. 
H. Chipperfield. 
IN A GULLERY.* 
Sudden the lilies of each lonely mound 
Sprang into voice and palpitating wing. 
I seemed a guilty and unwelcome thing : 
Ten thousand shadows round me and around 
Perplexed the air and danced along the ground : 
Each sooty head in passion dared to fling 
A world’s defiance, and I felt the sting 
And arrows of that deprecating sound. 
Then gazing downward, at my feet I saw 
The silent cause of all these sorrowful cries 
Large jewels blotched, and brown and green and blue 
In simple caskets wove from rushey straw. 
I thanked high heaven for hearts so good and true, 
And shared the hope for life that never dies. 
H. D. Rawnsley. 
* Canon Rawnsley writes : “I send you herewith a sonnet which I wrote after 
visiting the very interesting ‘ giillery’’ of black-headed gulls at Ravenglass last 
Wednesday, April 27. I am glad to be able to report that, thanks to constant 
care of the owner of the Ravenglass Dunes, Lord Muncaster, the black-headed 
colony is yearly increasing. Last Wednesday I found the eggs all well set, which 
I think is early, seeing that Mr. Saunders puts down 18th of April as date for 
incubation. But the mildness of the season may have had something to say to 
this.” 
