Perisiig PAMUGD) Uc Br OoN 7B Ube erste N 1m 
force among native birds and mammals. It is a member of one of the most 
bloodthirsty and carnivorous families of the mammalia, and makes terrific 
inroads on weaker creatures. It is particularly destructive to certain insect- 
eating forms of life, such as birds, moles, shrews, toads, etc. Every year 
the cats of New England undoubtedly destroy millions of birds and other 
useful creatures, therefore indirectly aiding the increase of insects which 
destroy crops and trees. ... Apparently the cat has few legal rights. In 
most countries the law seems to regard it as a predatory animal which any 
person may destroy when found doing damage on the premises.” (pp. 
106-107.) 
In Worcester, Mass., Judge Utley handed down the following decision: 
“A cat is a wild animal. There is no wilder animal in Christendom... . 
A man on his own property has a right to protect it, and when wild animals 
encroach on it, he is justified in getting rid of them.” 
Cats have been known to kill from 10 to 14 birds a day and as many as 
58 in a season. They are scavengers in all sorts of filthy places and in 
consequence are carriers of disease, probably of scarlet fever, smallpox and 
diphtheria, certainly of ringworm, typhus and rabies. People have lost 
their eyes as a result of cat scratches, and others have suffered loss of life 
or limb from blood poisoning resulting from bites from these animals. 
It is not good sense to punish a person for destroying a bird or nest and 
yet allow one to keep with impunity carnivorous animals that slaughter 
many birds a year. Each person is held responsible for the depredations of 
his other domestic animals on other people’s or public property; why should 
the most dangerous creature of all be exempt? If the owner should be made 
to pay the stipulated fine ($25.00 - $300.00) for each insectivorous bird 
killed by each of his cats, the problem would be in a fair way towards 
solution. 
ff ft ft 
A SHORT LETTER from Mrs. Jessie Burch, written during a visit to her 
former home in Battle Creek, Mich., tells of an unusual experience while at 
the home of Mr. Edward M. Brigham, Jr. She writes: 
“T wanted especially to tell you about the great horned owl Mr. Brigham 
has trained. Each night after dark he goes out and calls, ‘Buster, where 
are you?’ In a few minutes the bird answers with a shrill whistle and 
comes in out of the dark with a whirr, landing at Edward’s feet. I was so 
thrilled to see it that tonight I asked if I might feed him. So we called, 
and soon Buster was on the ground in front of me, eating kidneys from my 
hand. I shall never forget the thrill of it. Buster is at least a foot and a 
half high, and Edward thinks the wing spread is about three feet. A man 
brought him to the museum last May; at that time he was three or four 
weeks old.” 
fl ‘a si 
“There’s not a leaf upon the tree, 
There’s no blue shred to grace the sky, 
Yet some glad spirit whispers me 
The spring is nigh.” 
