GIFT OF 
 A. P. Morrison 
 

Rabbits, Cats and Cavies 
 
 a 
 
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 
 
RABBITS CATS 
 
 AND 
 
 CAVIES 
 
 DESCRIPTIVE SKETCHES OF ALL 
 
 RECOGNISED EXHIBITION VARIETIES 
 
 WITH MANY ORIGINAL ANECDOTES 
 
 BY 
 
 C. H. LANE, RZ.S 
 
 AUTHOR OF "ALL ABOUT DOGS," ETC. 
 
 WITH OVER 100 ILLUSTRATIONS FROM LIFE STUDIES 
 OF PRIZE WINNERS 
 
 BY 
 
 ROSA BEBB 
 
 NEW YORK 
 E. P. DUTTON AND COMPANY 
 
 31 WEST TWENTY-THIRD STREET 
 1903 
 

 QIBT OF 
 
TO 
 
 HARRISON WEIR, F.R.H.S. 
 
 WHO, BY PEN AND PENCIL, HAS DONE SO MUCH DURING 
 THE LAST HALF CENTURY TO INCULCATE A LOVE 
 OF ANIMAL LIFE, THIS BOOK IS MOST RESPECT- 
 FULLY DEDICATED BY THE AUTHOR. MAY 
 HE LONG CONTINUE THE USEFUL AND 
 BENEFICENT WORK WHICH HAS 
 AFFORDED PLEASURE TO 
 SO MANY. 
 
 M94383 
 
PREFACE 
 
 HAVING been from his earliest remembrance a lover and fancier 
 of many kinds of pet animals, the subjects treated of in these 
 pages have been the most numerous and perhaps excepting 
 dogs only, by far the most interesting, in the writer's possession. 
 
 As in the several capacities of breeder, exhibitor and 
 occasional judge, great numbers of these little animals have 
 come under the writer's notice, some detailed descriptions of 
 the several varieties with particulars of the standards of 
 perfection to be aimed at by breeders may be useful to the 
 increasing number of persons of both sexes, and in all ranks of 
 life, forming the exhibiting public. 
 
 For this purpose the writer has drawn upon a life-long 
 experience, introducing many original and other anecdotes 
 which may be of interest to his readers. 
 
 The illustrations have all been made specially from life studies 
 for this work, and executed by a skilful and sympathetic artist, 
 who is fortunately also a fancier, and has taken the keenest 
 interest in the subject. 
 
 It is believed that such a collection of portraits of high-class 
 
 Vll 
 
viii PREFACE 
 
 and typical specimens has never before appeared in any one book 
 on the subject, and it is hoped these illustrations may assist the 
 readers in appreciating the points of the several varieties depicted. 
 The opinions herein expressed are almost without exception 
 the writer's. They have been formed by practical and dearly- 
 bought experience, as in all transactions, whether of breeding, 
 buying, selling or judging, he has made it a rule to rely on 
 his own judgment, so that no one else is responsible for any 
 mistakes made, nor thanks due to others for successes attained. 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 :HAP. . 
 
 PREFACE ...... vn 
 
 RABBITS 
 i. INTRODUCTORY ...... 3 
 
 n. The Lop ...... 21 
 
 in. The Belgian Hare . . . . . 3 
 
 iv. Standard of Excellence for the Heavy Weight Belgian 
 
 Hare ...... 41 
 
 v. The Black and Tan Rabbit . . . .48 
 
 vi. The Patagonian Rabbit . . -53 
 
 vii. The Japanese Rabbit ... .58 
 
 vin. The Polish Rabbit ..... 62 
 
 ix. The Siberian Rabbit . . 68 
 
 x. The Flemish Giant Rabbit . . 7 2 
 
 xi. The Himalayan Rabbit . . . -77 
 
 xii. The Dutch Rabbit . . . 83 
 
 xin. The Angora Rabbit . , . . 
 
 xiv. The English Rabbit ..... 93 
 
 xv. The Silver Grey Rabbit . . 9 8 
 
 xvi. The Silver Fawn or Cream Rabbit . . .108 
 
 xvn. The Silver Brown Rabbit . . 1 1 3 
 
 xvm. Concluding Remarks on Rabbits . . .118 
 
 CATS 
 
 xix. LONG-HAIRED White Cat . . . .131 
 
 Black Cat . . . 134 
 
 Blue Cat . 137 
 
 Cream Cat .139 
 
 xx. LONG-HAIRED Chinchilla Cat . . . .142 
 
 Brown Tabby Cat . . 144 
 
 Silver Tabby Cat . . 147 
 
 Red or Orange Tabby Cat . 1 50 
 
 xxi. LONG-HAIRED Smoke Cat . . . .153 
 
 Tortoiseshell Cat . .156 
 
 Any Other Variety . 1 59 
 ix 
 
x CONTENTS 
 
 CHAP. PAGE 
 
 xxn. SHORT-HAIRED Black Cat . . . .161 
 
 White Cat .' . , .163 
 
 Blue Cat . . .166 
 
 xxiii. SHORT-HAIRED Red Tabby Cat . . .169 
 
 Silver Tabby Cat . . .172 
 
 Brown Tabby Cat . . .175 
 
 Spotted Tabby Cat . . .178 
 
 Narrow Striped Tabby Cat . . 181 
 
 xxvi. SHORT-HAIRED Smoke-Coloured Cat . . .184 
 
 Black and White Cat . . . 186 
 
 White and Black Cat . . .188 
 
 Tabby and White Cat . . .191 
 
 xxv. SHORT-HAIRED Tortoiseshell Cat . . .194 
 
 Tortoiseshell and White Cat . .196 
 
 Manx Cat . . . .199 
 
 Abyssinian Cat . . . 203 
 Siamese Cat .... 205 
 
 Mexican Hairless Cat . . . 209 
 
 Indian Cat . . . .211 
 
 xxvi. SHORT-HAIRED Wild Cat . . . .213 
 
 Any Other Variety . . .218 
 
 xxvn. A Few Words on Cats in General . . .220 
 
 xxvni. Anecdotes about Cats . . . . .226 
 
 xxix. ...... 237 
 
 xxx. . 251 
 
 xxxi. . . . . 266 
 
 CAVIES 
 
 xxxn. Peruvian Cavies . . . . .285 
 
 xxxm. Abyssinian Cavies ..... 292 
 
 xxxiv. Bolivian or English Cavies . . . . 298 
 
 Bolivian Self-Coloured Cavies .... 299 
 
 Bolivian or English Agouti Cavies . . .301 
 
 Tortoiseshell Cavies . . 302 
 
 Tortoiseshell and White Cavies . 304 
 
 Dutch-marked Cavies . . 306 
 
 Any Other Variety . .307 
 
 INDEX . . *' , . . .311 
 
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Group of British and Foreign Cats . . , : Frontispiece 
 
 Headpiece to Rabbit Section Group of Rabbits . . 20 
 
 Lop-eared Rabbit " Ch. May-field Surprise." Owners, Messrs 
 
 Chadwick and Tuckett . .24 
 
 Lop-eared Rabbit "Ch. Coronation." Owner, W. C. E. 
 
 Dibble . . . . . 24 
 
 Belgian Hare Rabbit "Ch. Fashoda." Owners, Bonanza 
 
 Rabbitry, Los Angeles . . . 33 
 
 Belgian Hare Rabbit "Ch. Dash." Owners, Meadowbrook 
 
 B. H. Co., Los Angeles . . . . 33 
 
 Belgian Hare Rabbit " Ch. Priory Prince." Owner, E. H. 
 
 Guy . . . , . . .41 
 
 Belgian Hare Rabbit " Lord Lurgan." Owners, Lord 
 
 Lurgan Rabbitry, Los Angeles . . . .41 
 
 Belgian Hare Rabbit " Sir Styles." Owners, Messrs 
 
 Westbrook and Brown, Los Angeles . .. ,44 
 
 Belgian Hare Rabbit" Lady Di." Owner, C. H. Lane --I 44 
 Black and Tan Rabbit " Ideal." Owner, Rev. W. Mathias . 48 
 Blue and Tan Rabbit "Ch. President Lincoln." Owners 
 
 Messrs Ovenden and Fawcett . * '. ... 48 
 
 Japanese Rabbit Typical Specimen . . 5^ 
 
 Patagonian Rabbit Typical Specimen . . . 58 
 
 Polish Rabbit Great prize winner. Owner, Geo. Dickinson . 64 
 Polish Rabbit" Lord Richard." Owner, C. H. Lane : .- 64 
 Siberian Rabbit Typical Specimen . . . .72 
 
 Flemish Giant Rabbit "Ch. Lady Beatrice." Owner, A. 
 
 Merry, Junior . . . . . . 72 
 
 Flemish Giant Rabbit "Victoria." Owner, S. R. Turk . 77 
 Himalayan Rabbit "Chall. Cup Winner. Owner, F. Avard . 77 
 Himalayan Rabbit "Larry Carter." Owner, C. H. Lane . 83 
 
 xi 
 
xii LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Dutch, Black Rabbit "Ch. Bonus." Owner, J. Malley . 83 
 Dutch, Tortoiseshell Rabbit "Ch. Sensation." Owners, 
 
 Messrs Mason and South . . . .87 
 
 Dutch, Blue Rabbit " Little Boy Blue." Owner, C. H. 
 
 Lane ....... 87 
 
 Angora White Rabbit " Ch. Quality." Owner, E. J. Sands 90 
 Angora White Rabbit " Ch. Elegance." Owner, Miss W. 
 
 Kimmins ...... 90 
 
 English Rabbit "Ch. Matchless." Owners, Messrs Cunliffe 
 
 and Son ...... 94 
 
 English Rabbit " Ch. Majestic." Owner, Albert Tottle . 94 
 English Rabbit " Lyric." Owner, C. H. Lane . . 97 
 
 Silver Grey Dark Rabbit " Ch. Model." Owner, T. A. 
 
 Luck . . . . . . . 97 
 
 Silver Grey Medium Rabbit " Ch. Darling Ethel." Owners, 
 
 Messrs Oddy and Son . . . . .102 
 
 Silver Grey Light Rabbit " Lord Grey." Owner, C. H. Lane 102 
 Silver Fawn Rabbit "Ch. Orange Queen." Owners, Messrs 
 
 Barkham and Stone . . . . .112 
 
 Silver Fawn Rabbit "Ch. Lincoln Hero." Owner, T. A. 
 
 Luck . . . . . . .112 
 
 Silver Brown Rabbit " Ch. First Favourite." Owners, 
 
 Messrs Tee and Son . . . . .116 
 
 Silver Brown Rabbit "Little Goldmine." Owners, Messrs 
 
 Tee and Son . . . . . .116 
 
 Headpiece to Cat Section Group of Cats . . .128 
 
 Long-haired White Cat "Ch. White Heather." Owner, 
 
 Hon. Mrs McL. Morrison . . . .131 
 
 Long-haired Cream Cat "Ch. Ronaldkirk Midshipmite." 
 
 Owner, Miss Beale . . . . ' I 33 
 
 Long-haired Black "Ch. Neptune." Owner, H. W. H. 
 
 Warner . . . . . *33 
 
 Long-haired Black Cat "King Lear." Owner, C. H. 
 
 Lane . . . . . . .135 
 
 Long-haired Blue Cat "Ch. Wooloomooloo." Owner, Mrs 
 
 Dean . . . * . , 137 
 
 Long-haired Blue Cat "Ch. Holmwood Skittles." Owner, 
 
 Miss Jay . . . . . .138 
 
 Long-haired Blue Cat "Ch. Mabel of Lozells." Owner, C. 
 
 W. Witt ...... 138 
 
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS xiii 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Long-haired White Neuter Cat " Laurel Shah." Owner, C. 
 
 H. Lane .... ... . 140 
 
 Long-haired Chinchilla Cat "Ch. Ameer." Owner, Hon. 
 
 Mrs McL. Morrison ..... 142 
 Long-haired Chinchilla Cat "Ch. Fulmer Zaida." Owner, 
 
 Lady Decies . . . . . .144 
 
 Long-haired Chinchilla Cat " Ch. Fulmer Lord Southampton." 
 
 Owner, Lady Decies ..... 145 
 Long-haired Brown Tabby Cat " Ch. Prince." Owner, Mrs 
 
 King . . . . . . .146 
 
 Long-haired Tortoiseshell Cat " Laurel Lulu." Owner, C. 
 
 H. Lane ...... 149 
 
 Long-haired Dark Smoke Cat "Ch. Backwell Jogram." 
 
 Owner, Mrs H. V. James . . . 153 
 
 Long-haired Red Tabby Cat "Ch. Puck." Owner, Hon. 
 
 Mrs McL. Morrison . . . . .154 
 
 Long-haired Orange Tabby Cat "Ch. Golden Butterfly." 
 
 Owner, Mrs Dean . . . . .154 
 
 Long-haired Light Smoke Cat " Laurel Cheeky." Owner, C. 
 
 H. Lane . . . . . 155 
 
 Long-haired Silver Tabby Cat "Ch. Abdul Hamet of 
 
 Dingley." Owner, Miss Leake . . .156 
 
 Long-haired Silver Tabby Cat "Ch. Thames Valley Silver 
 
 King." Owner, Miss Derby Hyde . . .156 
 
 Long-haired Grey Tabby Cat "Ch. Laurel Leopold." 
 
 Owner, C. H. Lane . . . . .158 
 
 Short-haired Black Cat " Laurel Luther." Owner, C. H. 
 
 Lane ....... 161 
 
 Short-haired Black Cat " Little Sambo." Owner, C. H. Lane 161 
 Short-haired White Cat" Ch. Ballochmyle Billie Blue Eyes." 
 
 Owner, Lady Alexander . . . .163 
 
 Short-haired White Cat " Ch. Laurel Emperor." Owner, 
 
 C. H. Lane ...... 164 
 
 Short-haired Neuter Cat " Laurel Leonidas." Owner, C. 
 
 H. Lane ...... 164 
 
 Short-haired Blue Cat "Ch. Ballochmyle Brother Bump." 
 
 Owner, Lady Alexander . . . .167 
 
 Short-haired Blue Cat " Ballochmyle Blue Queen." Owner, 
 
 Lady Alexander . . . . .167 
 
 Short-haired Red Tabby Cat" Ch. Ballochmyle Perfection." 
 
 Owner, Lady Alexander . . . .170 
 
xiv LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Short-haired Neuter Red Tabby Cat " Lord Rufus." Owner, 
 
 C. H. Lane . . . . . .170 
 
 Short-haired Silver Tabby Cat " Ch. Jimmy." Owner, Mrs 
 
 George Herring . . . . I 73 
 
 Short-haired Silver Tabby Cat " Ch. Laurel King." Owner, 
 
 C. H. Lane . . . . . 173 
 
 Short-haired Silver Tabby Cat " Ch. Laurel Queen." Owner, 
 
 C. H. Lane . . . . . 174 
 
 Short-haired Brown Tabby Cat "Ch. Fulmer Xenophon." 
 
 Owner, Lady Decies ..... 177 
 Short-haired Brown Tabby Cat " Laurel Quar." Owner, C. 
 
 H. Lane . . . . . .177 
 
 Short-haired Spotted Tabby Cat " Tiddles." Owner, R. 
 
 T. Babb ...... 181 
 
 Short-haired Narrow-Striped Tabby Cat " Silver." Owner, 
 
 Mrs Fossett . . . . . .183 
 
 Short-haired Smoke Cat "Laurel Luke." Owner, C. H. 
 
 Lane ....... 186 
 
 Short-haired Black and White Cat " Laurel Rector." Owner, 
 
 C. H. Lane 188 
 
 Short-haired White and Black Cat "Laurel Magpie." 
 
 Owner, C. H. Lane . . . . -.188 
 
 Short-haired Tabby and White " Laurel Silver Star." Owner, 
 
 C. H. Lane . . . . . .192 
 
 Short-haired Male Tortoiseshell Cat "Ch. Ballochmyle Sam- 
 son." Owner, Lady Alexander . . .195 
 Short-haired Female Tortoiseshell Cat "Ch. Ballochmyle 
 
 Bountiful Bertie." Owner, Lady Alexander . .195 
 
 Short-haired Tortoiseshell and White Cat "Ch. Balloch- 
 myle Otter." Owner, Lady Alexander . .196 
 Short-haired Male Tortoiseshell and White Cat "Laurel 
 
 Lothair." Owner, C. H. Lane . . * 196 
 
 Short-haired Manx Tabby Cat " Ch. Bonhaki." Owner, Mrs 
 
 H. C. Brooke .'-..' . . . . 198 
 
 Short-haired Manx White Cat" Lord Luke/' Owner, C. H. 
 
 Lane . . . . . * .198 
 
 Short-haired Abyssinian Cat " Queen Jumbo." Owner, Mrs 
 
 George Herring ..... 203 
 
 Short-haired Siamese Cat "Ch. Wankee." Owner, Mrs M. 
 
 Robinson , . . . 206 
 
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS xv 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Short-haired Siamese Cat "Ch. Meo." Owner, Mrs Cunliffe 
 
 Lee ....... 206 
 
 Short-haired Mexican Hairless Cat "Jesuit." Owner, Hon. 
 
 Mrs McL. Morrison ..... 209 
 Short-haired Indian Cat "Indischer Furst." Owner, Mrs 
 
 H. C. Brooke . . ... . . .211 
 
 British Wild Cat Typical Specimen. Owner, late Lord 
 
 Lilford . . .'*"' . . -'. ; 217 
 
 Short-haired Narrow-striped Tabby and White "Lord 
 
 Stanley." Owner, C. H. Lane . , , * 219 
 
 Headpiece to Cavy Section Group of Cavies . . V 282 
 
 Peruvian Cavy, Self "Ch. Grand Duke." Owner, W. A. 
 
 Sherlock . . . . . 289 
 
 Peruvian Cavy, Self "Ch. Lily-White." Owner, S. Newlove 289 
 Peruvian Cavy, other than Self " Lord Sultan." Owner, C. 
 
 H. Lane . . . . . .291 
 
 Peruvian Cavy, other than Self " Lady Irene." Owner, C. 
 
 H. Lane ...... 291 
 
 Abyssinian Cavy "Ch. Bosco." Owner, J. Thompson . 292 
 
 Abyssinian Cavy " Ch. Hull Lady." Owner, J. Thompson . 292 
 Abyssinian Cavy "Ch. Florence Second." Owner, J. 
 
 Thompson ...... 295 
 
 Abyssinian Cavy " Laurel Leopold. Owner, C. H. Lane . 295 
 Bolivian or Smooth Cavy, Self ." Ch. What's Wanted." 
 
 Owners, Messrs Tee and Hanslip . . . 298 
 
 Bolivian or Smooth Cavy, Self Ch. Daisy." Owner, F. W. 
 
 Walker . . . . . .298 
 
 Bolivian or Smooth Cavy, Self "Ch. Black Bess." Owner, 
 
 A. Foster ...... 300 
 
 Bolivian or Smooth Cavy, Self" Black Boy." Owner, C. H. 
 
 Lane ....... 300 
 
 Smooth Golden Agouti Cavy "Ch. King of the Yukon." 
 
 Owners, Messrs Wright and Ford . . . 302 
 
 Smooth Golden Agouti Cavy, "Sister Laura." Owner, C. H. 
 
 Lane ....... 302 
 
 Smooth Grey Agouti Cavy "Greyfriar." Owner, C. H. 
 
 Lane . . . . . . 302 
 
 Smooth Tortoiseshell Cavy "Ch. Surefoot." Owner, J. 
 
 Thompson . ,# . . . 302 
 
xvi LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Smooth Tortoiseshell and White Cavy "Ch. Lady Sarah." 
 
 Owner, J. H. Lilley ..... 304 
 Smooth Tortoiseshell and White Cavy "Ch. Elegance." 
 
 Owner, J. S. James . . , '. . . 304 
 
 Smooth Tortoiseshell Cavy "Sir Lucius." Owner, C. H. 
 
 Lane ....'.. 304 
 Smooth Tortoiseshell and White Cavy " Ch. Galtee More." 
 
 Owners, Messrs Bousfield Bros. . . . 304 
 
 Smooth, Any Other Colour " Lord Piebald." Owner, C. H. 
 
 Lane ....... 306 
 
 Cavy, Any Other Colour "Lord Blaze." Owner, C. H. 
 
 Lane . . '' . . . . 306 
 
 Smooth Dutch-marked Cavy "Ch. Klondyke." Owner, T. 
 
 Blackburn ...... 308 
 
 Smooth Dutch-marked Cavy "Ch. Monarch." Owner, J. 
 
 H. Lilley . . . . . .308 
 
RABBITS 
 
Rabbits, Cats, and Cavies 
 
 CHAPTER I/- /, .: 
 
 INTRODUCTORY 
 
 I PROPOSE to deal with the above in the order given, 
 and to say something of each of the several varieties 
 usually adapted for exhibition at the shows now so 
 frequently providing classes for them, in these and 
 other countries. 
 
 I do not think there is the slightest doubt that at 
 the present time there is more attention paid to these 
 small pets than at any previous period in the history of 
 the world, and that great numbers of persons, if not, as 
 in some cases is probably done, earning their livelihood 
 by breeding specimens for sale, are at anyrate making 
 thereby a substantial addition to their incomes. 
 
 Rabbits have made rapid strides in popular favour of 
 late years, and many varieties now appear in the show 
 pens, not only differing in size and shape, but also in 
 colour and markings. 
 
 Of each of these I propose to give some particulars 
 
 3 
 
4 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 which may afford some of the novices amongst my readers 
 practical information as to what they should seek after 
 and avoid in their dealings with other fanciers. 
 
 The variety known as the Lops, although probably still 
 looked upon as pillars of the rabbit fancy, are, I think, 
 not so extensively kept, or at anyrate, not so often met 
 with, in classes for them only, at many of the shows as 
 was formerly the case. 
 
 \ / Theire/may be several reasons for this, one being that 
 they are .supposed to require warmer quarters than any 
 othrjr varieties!, fef the rabbit tribe. 
 
 And this is probably why it is found that bakers 
 and eating-house keepers are some of the most successful 
 with this variety, where the length and width of the ears 
 form such important items in the production of high-class 
 specimens. 
 
 One of the most popular varieties of late years, both 
 in these countries and in America, where it has been 
 " boomed " to an unusual extent, is the Belgian hare. 
 
 This is not only of pleasing appearance, greatly 
 resembling in colour and shape, while nearly approaching 
 in size, our native wild hare, but also has the additional 
 recommendation of making an excellent dish for the 
 table ; and for the several purposes of showing and eating, 
 there are probably more Belgian hare rabbits being bred 
 at the present time than of any other of the family, 
 except the wild rabbits so common in this country, and 
 which have proved such a trouble to some of our 
 Colonies. 
 
 The family of the Silvers forms a very interesting 
 
INTRODUCTORY 5 
 
 group, mainly divided into greys, fawns or creams, and 
 browns, with subdivisions into light, medium and dark, 
 the shades of which sometimes so closely approach each 
 other as to cause exhibitors some difficulty to determine 
 in which class to make their entries, and give judges 
 great difficulty in making their awards. 
 
 Another very popular variety is the Dutch, which is 
 the smallest of the rabbit tribe. They have one advantage 
 over most others, in showing at a very early age, by their 
 faint markings, whether they are worth keeping or not. 
 
 They are also useful in another way, as they prove 
 the best of foster mothers, and of service when a doe has 
 a larger litter than she can safely rear, as it is not an 
 unusual circumstance when eight or ten youngsters 
 appear at one birth for them to be divided between the 
 mother and a little Dutch foster. 
 
 Flemish Giants, as the name implies, are very large 
 rabbits, and at shows where as sometimes happens 
 prizes are offered for the heaviest rabbits, these are nearly 
 certain to take the awards. 
 
 In some parts of this country these are very popular, 
 and largely kept, although not so much in the South and 
 West of England as in the Midlands and the North ; 
 but they make substantial items as table fare. 
 
 Himalayan rabbits, presumably from their name, of 
 Eastern origin, are not a large variety, and I fancy, not 
 gaining in favour, as I have certainly seen less of them 
 the last ten years or so than formerly. 
 
 In their case, markings are all important, the nose, 
 ears, fore and hind feet being as nearly black as possible, 
 
6 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAV1ES 
 
 while the rest of the body is pure white, and it is found 
 very difficult to preserve these conditions in perfection. 
 The same rabbit at times seeming to lose colour in those 
 parts where its density is so essential to success in the 
 show pens. 
 
 I think this must have disheartened some of its 
 fanciers, and caused a marked diminution in their 
 numbers, as of late I have met with few schedules pro- 
 viding classes for this variety, which is now mostly seen, 
 as far as my experience goes, in variety classes. 
 
 Another variety whose popularity is, I think, not 
 being maintained, is the Polish, a lively pretty little 
 pure white rabbit, about the size of a large Dutch. 
 
 Some years since these were extensively kept, and 
 classes given them at many of the shows, but now I 
 seldom see them anywhere, except occasionally in variety 
 or selling classes. I do not know any reason for its 
 waning popularity, except that others have come more 
 into general favour, and on the principle of the survival 
 of the fittest, the Polish have been thrust into the back- 
 ground. 
 
 One that has for many years retained its hold on the 
 favour of the public, whether fanciers or not, is the 
 Angora, perhaps the most beautiful of all the rabbit 
 family, and which certainly requires the most care and 
 trouble to produce and keep in show form. 
 
 As most of my readers will know, this has the longest 
 hair of any variety mostly pure white and fleecy so that 
 a good specimen looks like a mass of soft, silky hair ; but 
 only those who have kept them know how much attention 
 
INTRODUCTORY 7 
 
 is required to keep their coats in order, free from any 
 knots or matting, and the colour untainted in the slightest 
 respect. 
 
 I think they are still highly popular, as I have lately 
 had large classes before me of high quality and type. 
 
 There is one variety that has come into great popu- 
 larity of late years, and seems, in vulgar parlance, to have 
 come to stay, and which is really a revival of an old 
 favourite with a new name. 
 
 What we used to know when I was a boy as the 
 Spotted Butterfly has blossomed into the English rabbit ; 
 not that I find any fault with the title, for I think it 
 really represents what it is, and, after the wild rabbit 
 and the lop, it is probably the oldest variety of the family 
 with a strictly British origin. 
 
 I remember the first rabbits I owned were of this 
 kind, but for a number of years they were rarely seen at 
 shows, and then chiefly in variety classes ; since then, 
 however, they have grown in numbers and quality, and 
 first-rate specimens have been often sold at highly satis- 
 factory prices. They have a large number of admirers 
 at the present day, and classes provided for them at very 
 many of the shows. 
 
 Even as lately as the year 1902 I have had very 
 respectable entries of them, and of sufficient quality to 
 require great care in sorting out the best. 
 
 I may say, for the benefit of those not knowing 
 this variety, that it is of medium size, white, with pre- 
 scribed black markings, comprising a mark much like a 
 butterfly on the nose, hence its old name, a trace down the 
 
8 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 back and chains of spots from sides of neck, connecting 
 with markings on sides and back markings, forming a sort 
 of saddle, and there are other requirements which I shall 
 deal with more in detail when treating of this variety in 
 particular. 
 
 From old associations I have always taken an interest 
 in these, and have had not a few winners amongst my 
 stock, when I went in extensively for exhibiting rabbits 
 some years since. 
 
 The variety known as the Patagonian seems to have 
 been given a fancy name, as I have never heard that it had 
 any connection with the country of that name, most of 
 those which have found their way here having been 
 imported from the Continent of Europe. 
 
 As far as my experience goes, it has never enjoyed 
 much favour with our fanciers, and I do not remember 
 seeing a class given to it at any shows. 
 
 And if anything can cause a variety of any sort at 
 exhibitions to lose popularity, it is for it to be constantly 
 shown in " Any Other Variety classes," as it then becomes 
 almost a lottery as to what will take the fancy of the 
 judge. 
 
 Doubtless the right course to take in such a case is to 
 give the prizes to the best specimens of their several 
 varieties, but as most judges have partiality for, and are 
 better acquainted with, some varieties than others, it is 
 only natural they should give the preference to those 
 specimens, than to others they may not know so well ; in 
 such cases the Patagonian usually comes off badly. 
 
 It is a large rabbit, dark iron-grey in colour, and is 
 
INTRODUCTORY 9 
 
 often confounded with the Flemish Giant, to which it has 
 some points of resemblance. There is little doubt they 
 have been bred together, not, I think, to the advantage of 
 either, but this is a matter of opinion. 
 
 Probably, if a few spirited breeders took up the 
 variety with vigour, attention might be drawn to it, and 
 classes provided at some of the shows, but unless this 
 is done it will remain, in the words of the old song, "a 
 sort we sometimes hear about, but very seldom see." 
 
 Another variety in the same category is the Siberian, 
 which, in my opinion, is even less often met with, at least 
 at shows, than the Patagonian. 
 
 In spite of its name and supposed connection with 
 Russia, the general idea amongst fanciers here seems to 
 be that it is a home production, and the result of a cross 
 between the Angora and the Himalayan varieties. 
 
 And this its appearance does much to justify, as it 
 possesses the long coat of the former, with the markings 
 of the latter. But whether a cross or not, it is found to 
 breed true to type and colour, and to be rather a prolific 
 breeder. It is usually tame, gentle in disposition, and 
 hardy in its constitution. 
 
 They are often very beautiful animals, suitable for 
 young ladies and others caring to keep them as pets 
 rather than for exhibition, as, like the Patagonians, it is 
 almost impossible to find schedules with classes for either 
 of them. 
 
 I have been told that this variety is in great favour on 
 the Continent, particularly in France, where great numbers 
 of them are kept, perhaps more for the value of their 
 
io RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 coats and for eating than for exhibition, as I am not 
 aware that rabbits are shown on the Continent to anything 
 like the extent that prevails with us, although of late years 
 they have warmly taken up with dogs, poultry, pigeons 
 and some kinds of cage birds. 
 
 Another variety, which is perhaps the least often seen 
 at exhibitions in this country, is that known as the 
 Japanese, which is thought to have been practically 
 unknown here prior to 1893, when a brief notice of it 
 was given in one of our fanciers' papers. 
 
 Although much larger in size, it has somewhat the 
 shape of the Dutch variety, and some of those which have 
 been received in this country from France, where it has 
 found favour with some breeders, have evidently been 
 crossed with Dutch, but not to the advantage of the 
 breed. 
 
 In point of shape, size, and general utility for table 
 purposes, the variety offers scope for development of 
 usefulness ; although as a competitor at shows it has yet 
 been little seen, but if taken up by zealous and energetic 
 breeders there is no reason to doubt it would attract 
 notice, like many other novelties of less merit have 
 already done. 
 
 There appears to be nothing delicate about the variety, 
 which has been bred in open-air hutches on the Continent 
 of Europe, but, no doubt, those reared indoors would be 
 finer and softer in coat, and these are qualities esteemed 
 by its votaries. 
 
 As this is one of the few rabbits I have not personally 
 kept, I am not able to give the results of my own experi- 
 
INTRODUCTORY 1 1 
 
 ence of it, but will furnish some more details respect- 
 ing it when I treat of this variety in particular. 
 
 When I have mentioned two other varieties, which 
 have much in common, I believe I shall have touched on 
 all those now recognised as " fancy rabbits " in the present 
 day, and will pass on to the next section of the subjects to 
 be dealt with in these pages. 
 
 The two last of the rabbit family requiring any notice 
 are the Black and Tan and the Blue and Tan, the names 
 of which convey some idea of their appearance. 
 
 Of course, in theory, the former should resemble as 
 closely as possible the terrier known under that name, but, 
 as an old dog fancier, I may say that in practice very few 
 come at all near that standard. 
 
 And this is not so much in respect to the black parts, 
 as to the tan, which is rarely seen bright or clear enough 
 to deserve the title of tan at all, and is more often a pale 
 greyish brown. 
 
 At comparatively few shows in the South or West of 
 England where, I am bound to say, the rabbit fanciers 
 are neither as numerous or as keen as in some other parts 
 of the country are classes provided for either of these 
 varieties. 
 
 The consequence is they are usually found in the any 
 variety or selling classes, but, if anything like fair speci- 
 mens, often " get into the money," as all judges who have 
 any general knowledge of the rabbit fancy know that 
 they are hard to breed of type and quality. 
 
 The Blue and Tan, in all important respects, is 
 on the same lines as the Black and Tan, except that 
 
12 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 where the latter is black the other is a sort of dark slate 
 blue. 
 
 These are decidedly pretty rabbits, rather of small 
 medium size, quite a fancy rather than a useful sort to 
 keep, and breeders of them must be prepared to draw more 
 blanks than prizes in their breeding operations, because 
 many of them, as I have said, fail in their tan markings, 
 
 I think it was in the year 1871 that my respected 
 friend, Mr Harrison Weir, who all his life has been 
 interested in animals, used his influence and valuable help 
 in inaugurating the series of exhibitions of Cats at the 
 Crystal Palace, which have, I believe (I have attended 
 nearly all of them, and taken numbers of prizes there), 
 been continued every year since without a break. 
 
 For a great number of years he and his late brother, 
 Mr John Jenner Weir, F.Z.S., were the only judges 
 appointed at these shows, and they also officiated at the 
 cat shows held year after year at the Royal Aquarium, 
 Brighton. 
 
 Although many others have been held from time to 
 time in different parts of the kingdom, I think these have 
 maintained their position at the head of affairs in the Cat 
 Fancy, and that exhibitors have always valued success at 
 those places more than at any other exhibition. 
 
 Since the foundation of the National Cat Club, 
 followed by the Cat Club and the British Cat Club, of 
 course cats have attained a more important position than 
 they formerly held, and not only are they raised in 
 popular favour, but have greatly increased in value, so 
 that specimens of sufficient quality to win prizes in their 
 
INTRODUCTORY 13 
 
 classes readily find purchasers at remunerative prices, and 
 I know of many persons, of both sexes, who keep well- 
 filled catteries to supply the demand created by the 
 shows. 
 
 In the early days, I should say long-haired cats were 
 decidedly in the minority, but for some years past I 
 expect for exhibition purposes more of the long-haired 
 have been bred than of the short-haired. 
 
 I have usually kept a good many of both sorts, and 
 have taken some hundreds of prizes with them, but I 
 think I have had the best specimens, and taken the highest 
 honours, in the short-haired division. 
 
 As my readers will mostly be aware, there are not 
 quite so many colour subdivisions in the Long Hairs 
 as in the Short Hairs, and each have their supporters, 
 although some fanciers, like myself, keep both varieties. 
 
 In Long Hairs, after the main colours Black, 
 White, Blue and Smoke there are the Tabbies, Chin- 
 chillas, Creams and Tortoiseshells ; any others than those 
 named generally come into the category of Any Other 
 Variety. 
 
 But in the Short Hairs, at large shows there are often 
 classes for Blacks, Whites, Blues, Smokes, Brown, Silver, 
 Red and Spotted, Tabbies, Tortoiseshells, Tortoiseshells 
 and White, Black and White, White and Black, Tabby 
 and White, Abyssinian, Manx, Siamese, and Any Other 
 Variety. 
 
 Of all of these I mean to say a few words, as some of 
 my readers may not have given much attention to what 
 cat fanciers regard as important matters of difference 
 
i 4 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 between the several varieties, and which make or mar 
 their success at the shows. 
 
 I have not the slightest doubt there are hundreds, if 
 not thousands, of cats running about the country quite 
 good enough to win prizes at shows, and to sell for sub- 
 stantial figures if their owners knew their value. 
 
 This I have proved on more than one occasion by 
 picking up specimens at different times in most unlikely 
 places, with which I have taken prizes at some of our best 
 shows. 
 
 To give three instances from my own experience. I 
 remember being in a boot shop some years since when a 
 little brown tabby female Short-Hair jumped on the 
 counter, and made friends with me. The proprietor of 
 the shop, seeing I was interested in cats, told me she had 
 lately had kittens, and that, if I pleased, he would reserve 
 one for me when old enough to leave its mother. I 
 thanked him, and said I would call for it in a month's 
 time. 
 
 When I went there for it, he said he had an arrival 
 in his own family, and his wife wished to get rid of cat 
 and kitten, so if I would accept it, he would be happy 
 to give me both, which I took with pleasure. 
 
 Shortly afterwards I was in the same shop again, 
 when the man said he had been tempted to buy a fine 
 cat from a sailor, and, if I liked, I could have it for a 
 sovereign. 
 
 This was one of the best black Persians I had ever 
 seen, and I was not long deciding to accept his offer, and 
 never regretted my purchase. As it was in the autumn, some 
 
INTRODUCTORY 15 
 
 weeks before the Crystal Palace Cat Show, I entered the 
 little brown tabby Short-Hair, and the black Persian, the 
 former taking third prize in a strong class of her own 
 colour, and the latter first prize in the Black class. 
 
 They both took numbers of prizes all over the country 
 afterwards, and were much admired wherever they 
 went. 
 
 Another case was, when I was on my way to a railway 
 station I noticed a young short-haired white cat, of which 
 I liked the appearance, and took the first opportunity of 
 calling at the cottage where it belonged, to inquire if they 
 would sell it. I had some difficulty in getting them to 
 name a price, as they seemed to think it a strange thing 
 anyone should be willing to pay anything for a cat, but at 
 last they said they would be delighted to take half-a-crown 
 for it, which of course I readily paid, and this cat became 
 another Crystal Palace winner, as well as at many other 
 places. 
 
 I mention these cases merely to illustrate the fact that 
 there are plenty of good cats about, if they were only 
 looked after. 
 
 One of my most celebrated champions was bred by a 
 cottager in the village where I lived, and sold by him 
 not to me for the modest sum of five shillings. Un- 
 fortunately he did not come into my possession until his 
 value had gone up considerably, owing to the honours he 
 had taken. He was perhaps one of the best short-haired 
 whites with turquoise blue eyes, ever exhibited, and who 
 during his show career took scores of prizes at the Crystal 
 Palace, Brighton, Bath, Clifton, and all the leading shows. 
 
1 6 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 But in this case I must not complain, as he was after- 
 wards sold to someone who took a fancy to him at one of 
 the shows, for three times the price J paid for him. 
 
 To any of my readers who may propose to enter the 
 Cat Fancy, I would advise their beginning with Short- 
 Hairs, and get to understand cats and their ways before 
 going into Long-Hairs, as the latter require much more 
 care and attention in keeping them in show form. 
 
 In Long-Hairs, naturally, the quantity and quality of the 
 coats count for much in their appearance and chances of 
 success at shows ; and to keep them in trim, free from 
 matting knots or felting, necessitates grooming ; indeed, 
 specimens intended for exhibition purposes must have 
 limited liberty to engage in feline amenities with their 
 fellows, or they are likely to suffer, from a show point of 
 view. 
 
 Those concerts which sometimes disturb the rest of 
 light sleepers are not generally engaged in by cats in the 
 higher walks of feline society, but are mostly confined to 
 the Ishmaelites of the cat tribe. 
 
 There are doubtless at the present day hundreds of 
 cats, which, from the time of their birth, are never off the 
 premises of their owners, and there are many firms who 
 are constantly at work building cat houses and catteries, 
 with runs to them, for the preservation and multiplication 
 of the numerous valuable specimens owned up and down 
 the country. 
 
 One piece of valuable advice I may give to intending 
 cat fanciers, and that is, on no account at any time allow 
 your cats to be out at night ; they will soon get accustomed 
 
INTRODUCTORY 17 
 
 to this, and if used to the practice will come in when 
 called, even when allowed partial liberty by day. 
 
 Probably in the range of hobbies of any note taken up 
 by fanciers there has been nothing of late years to compare 
 with the advances made by Cavies. 
 
 The humble and almost despised Guinea Pigs of the 
 childhood of most of the older fanciers are now seldom 
 mentioned, but under the name of Cavies they have 
 entered on a new era of existence. 
 
 And whereas in the olden days the value of the 
 best specimens that could be procured was reckoned by 
 pence and not many of them now they change hands, 
 when shape, size and colour are satisfactory to the experts 
 in these little creatures, at more than as many pounds 
 sterling as the former transactions in pence. 
 
 To those of my readers unacquainted with the subject, 
 I may explain that cavies may be divided into three 
 sections : Those with long hair, which are known as 
 Peruvians ; those with rough short hair, known as 
 Abyssinians ; and those with short smooth hair, known 
 as Bolivian, English, or merely as Smooth cavies. 
 
 The first two varieties named above were practically 
 unknown at the time when I kept guinea pigs as a boy, 
 and the last named were not considered of any value from 
 an exhibitor's point of view, chiefly, I think, because 
 shows were few and far between where even rabbits were 
 provided with classes, and it had not entered into the 
 heads of the boldest promoters of any kind of exhibition 
 to cater for such unconsidered trifles as guinea pigs ! 
 
 Nowadays classes are often given for Rough and 
 
1 8 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 Smooth cavies, but such division I consider is wrong, and 
 most unfavourable to the Abyssinian variety, as by this 
 classification they have to be entered in the former or 
 " rough class," and often meet in competition specimens 
 of the Peruvian variety, usually with disastrous effect to 
 their chances, unless, as is not always the case, the judge 
 has been a fancier and breeder of all three varieties, when 
 he can appreciate the good qualities of each. 
 
 As I have bred and kept many hundreds of cavies, and 
 taken scores of prizes with all the varieties, I can speak 
 with some experience of them, and whenever I come across 
 a really good Abyssinian shown in a rough class, I always 
 try to get him into the first three, unless there are three 
 <c topping " Peruvians to oust him, and this, I contend, is 
 the duty of any judge under such circumstances. 
 
 I hope in the course of these pages, to go more into 
 detail about all the varieties named, so that in these 
 introductory remarks I will only lightly touch upon 
 them. 
 
 The long-haired, or Peruvians, after size and shape 
 are considered, depend mainly on the quantity and quality 
 of their coats, and some of them are really very beautiful 
 little creatures, even from an outsider's point of view, 
 whilst the length and shading of their coverings are very 
 remarkable, and worthy of attention. 
 
 The rough-haired, or Abyssinians, have coats which 
 seem to lie the wrong way that is, they turn every way 
 but lying smooth and are covered with little rosettes of 
 hair, each somewhat the size and shape of a dandelion 
 flower. These are continued all over the bodies, sides 
 
INTRODUCTORY 19 
 
 and head, the bristling hairs on which give them a fierce 
 and ludicrous appearance, quite at variance with their 
 natures which are usually very mild and gentle, except 
 when quarrelling amongst themselves, when they twist 
 and turn themselves about in a most amusing manner, 
 and assume the most bellicose attitudes and gestures, 
 making all the time a sort of chattering purr, and can 
 make an opponents fur fly, if they are allowed to make 
 use of their sharp little teeth upon him. 
 
 I should have said, by-the-bye, it is not always safe to 
 keep Peruvians intended for show together, as they have 
 an objectionable habit of nibbling each other's hair, and, 
 by so doing, greatly disfigure perhaps a valuable specimen, 
 so that it cannot be shown for some time. 
 
 The Bolivians, or, as they are most generally called, 
 Smooth or simply English Cavies, depend mainly on size, 
 shape, and colour, but the coat should not be too long, or 
 soft in texture. 
 
 There are probably more of the last named than of 
 the two other varieties together, partly because there is so 
 much more choice of colours, and also that they are 
 easier to produce and keep in form than the others. 
 
 When I first kept guinea pigs, these were the sort in 
 vogue. At that time they were very seldom seen, ex- 
 cept of two, or more, colours mixed, but now they can be 
 had of self colours such as all Black, Red, Brown, Cream, 
 White, Agouti (a sort of reddish brown with black hairs 
 mixed in, much like the little rodent known as the agouti) 
 Dutch-marked (in the way of the rabbit of that name), 
 Tortoiseshell ; and all the colours named, with the addition 
 
20 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 of White. At some shows, there are classes provided 
 for nearly all the colours I have mentioned, so it can be 
 realised to what an extent the Cavy Fancy has grown, and 
 all within the last twenty years. 
 
 I well remember when the first pair of Red Cavies was 
 brought out ; in a mild way, it produced quite a sensation. 
 I am not sure of the man's name I think it was Hewson 
 who bred them but heard he sold them with ease for thirty 
 pounds. And it was much the same when some pure Blacks 
 appeared, but since that time thousands of both Reds and 
 Blacks have come forward, and prices have fallen accordingly. 
 
 Then there was a great run on Agoutis, but they, too, 
 have multiplied, and only very perfect specimens of either 
 of those named command large money. 
 
 Really good Tortoiseshells, and well-marked Tortoise- 
 shell and Whites, have always maintained their position, 
 and perhaps sell as well as most varieties. 
 
 Also correctly-marked Dutch, being difficult to pro- 
 duce, and few and far between, have a good market value, 
 but only at the largest shows are classes provided for 
 these out-of-the-way varieties. They have consequently 
 to be shown, for the most part, in the Any Other Variety 
 classes, where, however, they have a good chance of coming 
 to the front if the judge (who often has to take the Cats 
 and Rabbits as well) happens to be a genuine Cavy fancier, 
 and not devoted to either Cats or Rabbits in particular. 
 
 I think I have said enough of the several subjects of 
 this book to serve as a sort of preliminary canter, and 
 will now proceed to deal with each in their order, be- 
 ginning with Rabbits, as first on my list. 
 
To face page 20. 
 
CHAPTER II 
 
 THE LOP 
 
 WHATEVER differences of opinion there are and they 
 are many and great about a variety of matters amongst 
 Rabbit fanciers, I think they are pretty well agreed on two 
 matters, namely, that the Lop is the oldest variety of 
 fancy Rabbit known in this country and that it is of 
 British origin. At least, I have not heard either of 
 these points disputed, so will take it that they are allowed 
 by all. 
 
 In the early days of my Rabbit keeping, I think Lops 
 were held in much more estimation than they are now, 
 and this may be owing to the many varieties which have 
 been brought forward, requiring less expense to keep, less 
 trouble to bring to perfection, and with more chances of 
 being shown early in their career and often. At one 
 time, if you heard of a high price being paid for a 
 rabbit you might almost take it for granted the animal in 
 question was a Lop, but of late years I expect the best 
 sales have been amongst the Belgian Hares and Old 
 English, both of which have made rapid strides in 
 public favour and consequently increased greatly in value. 
 
 There is something dignified, substantial, and what we 
 
 21 
 
22 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 fancy as National, about a well -shaped Lop with its 
 picturesque ears and solid, substantial appearance, which 
 makes it different from any other variety, and its votaries 
 insist upon its position as being that of King of the 
 Rabbit tribe. 
 
 This being a variety in which size of body and 
 strength of constitution are important elements ; to insure 
 success in breeding operations, it is important that both 
 parents should be at least of fair quality themselves in the 
 points desired to be reproduced, of sound health, and if 
 possible of different strains, otherwise the offspring are 
 unlikely to turn out well, or be of much value for breed- 
 ing purposes afterwards. 
 
 It is recommended that sound does with ears of 
 twenty-one inches should be mated with a buck of not less 
 than twenty-three or twenty-four inch ears, as being 
 likely to have litters worth keeping. 
 
 Perhaps the majority of Lops now seen are not of 
 self colours, but more or less marked with white ; if, 
 however, it is desired to produce specimens of self 
 colours, much can be done in that way by mating, 
 choosing both parents as nearly of one whole colour as 
 procurable, and then re-mating some of the offspring 
 in the same way. 
 
 I think there is no doubt that many Rabbitries in 
 which Lops have been the most important items have 
 been kept up to a high temperature, as being thought 
 inducive to the growth of ear, and this artificial tem- 
 perature has caused the deaths of hundreds, either when 
 removed to the premises of purchasers or exposed to the 
 
THE LOP 23 
 
 still greater vicissitudes of the show pens. I am not an 
 advocate for cold housing of any kind of fancy Rabbit, 
 nor have I kept my own in any but stone, brick, or well- 
 built wooden houses which could be shut up at night or 
 in unfavourable weather. On the other hand, I think 
 as much harm may be done by " coddling," especially with 
 such as are even occasionally exhibited, when we know 
 they are often left about in parcel offices, stations and 
 other places, going and returning to their homes, 
 and many of the shows leave much to be desired 
 in the care taken of valuable stock entrusted to them. 
 
 Although there is such disparity in size between the 
 two varieties, which, except both being rabbits, have 
 little else in common, I think Dutch does are the 
 favourites as foster mothers, when Lop fanciers require 
 some of a litter to be taken in that way. There is some- 
 thing eminently maternal, and businesslike, about the 
 little Dutch, which seems to make the work congenial to 
 them. 
 
 Many breeders, when the youngsters are between two 
 and three months old, take them in hand with a view to 
 moulding their ears into a graceful carriage, and think 
 that by so doing it helps the ears both in lengthening 
 and widening ; particularly if the operation, which should 
 be for a very short time at first, is performed in a warm 
 room on each occasion. 
 
 In the old books, we used to read of the half lop, 
 where one ear only fell at the side of the head, and the 
 oar lop, where both ears stood out almost at right angles 
 on each side ; but at the present day only those with the 
 
24 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 whole, or perfect lop of both ears, would have much 
 attention from the judges, or even be thought good enough 
 for the breeding pen. 
 
 No doubt, there would be a chance of remedying, or 
 even removing, the defects of carriage before mentioned, 
 by artificial means, such as caps, weights, etc., but unless 
 the strain is a valued one, of which specimens are 
 desired to be perpetuated, the game might prove, as the 
 saying goes, " not worth the candle." 
 
 I have seen sometimes another miscarriage of the 
 ears mentioned, which was called " horn lop," when the 
 ears stuck out in front, after the manner of horns ; in my 
 opinion this, although fortunately by no means common, 
 is the ugliest and most undesirable of the three kinds of 
 faulty carriage, and I should think the most difficult to 
 correct. 
 
 As I wish to say something of a great many varieties 
 I have not the space to give the opinions of the leading 
 breeders of all of them, or I could produce any amount of 
 evidence that, to obtain success in breeding, it is not of 
 vital necessity that the parents should have extraordinary 
 ears, either in length or width. 
 
 But, of course, when the stock is intended to be sold, 
 much better prices can be obtained for the progeny of 
 well-known winners ; in the same way, there is more 
 demand and better fees will be obtained for the services 
 of a sire who has taken good prizes, particularly if his 
 stock has proved of good quality. 
 
 But, for my own part, I would expect just as good 
 results from the brother or father of the winner, and in 
 
LOP-EARED RABBIT " CH. MAYFIELD SURPRISE." 
 Owners, Messrs Chadwick and Tuckett. 
 
 LOP-EARED RABBIT " CH. CORONATION." 
 Owner, W. C. E. Dibble. 
 
 To face page 24. 
 
THE LOP 25 
 
 some respects they are even better for the purpose, as not 
 being in so much request, and often standing at lower 
 fees. This I have proved in breeding operations, not 
 only with Rabbits, but many other kinds of stock. 
 
 I would advise all beginners, whatever kind of live 
 stock they take up, to get well-bred animals, even if they 
 pay a little more for them at first, as they will be the 
 cheapest in the end, and if from any cause, they have to 
 be disposed of, well-bred stock are always more easily 
 sold than those half, or three-quarters, bred. 
 
 I may say that those who have had most to do with 
 Lops do not advise they should be kept in the same house 
 with other varieties, but if it is not convenient to have 
 two separate houses, part of it may be partitioned off ; the 
 reason of this is, that Lops undoubtedly do better in a 
 house where the temperature, although well-ventilated, is 
 never cold. 
 
 But, with many of the other varieties, it would be 
 more or less injurious to them to be " mewed up," 
 being of a more hardy nature, and active in their habits. 
 
 I think there is no doubt that the first Societies or 
 Clubs, as they are now called, for Rabbits, were for Lops 
 only, and at one time mainly confined to the London dis- 
 trict, where I think the majority of the Lop fanciers used 
 to reside. Some of these were founded more than sixty 
 years ago, which shows how long this particular variety 
 has remained in favour. 
 
 I have read in some of the old books on Rabbits, 
 that at the earliest shows a rabbit with ears measuring 
 twenty-one inches was a certain winner, if of fair quality 
 
26 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 in other respects, but we know how greatly things have 
 altered in that way. 
 
 We sometimes hear of twenty-eight, and even twenty- 
 nine, inches of ear, but we do not often see them, yet I 
 have even in 1902 more than once judged classes, 
 containing youngsters well under five months old, whose 
 ears gave an easy measurement exceeding twenty-six inches 
 in length by six inches in width, and possibly another 
 half inch would have been stretched each way, but I 
 am not in favour of straining them beyond reasonable 
 limits. 
 
 This goes to prove that although show secretaries 
 complain with good reason, the Lop Classes fill badly, and 
 therefore few, and sometimes none, are given at even 
 good shows, still there are some enthusiastic Lop fanciers 
 left capable of bringing out good stock, when the classes 
 and prizes offered, and the judge appointed, are considered 
 satisfactory for their entries to be made. 
 
 You can hardly lay down any positive rule on the 
 subject, but roughly speaking I like the width to be 
 about a quarter of the length of the ears ; of course, 
 specimens vary much in this respect, sometimes one with 
 great length will fail in width, and it is when the two 
 combine somewhat in the proportions stated that per- 
 fection is approached. 
 
 For my own part, I always make a point of taking the 
 measurement of all in the class unless some have short 
 thick ears with no chance of getting into the first four or 
 five and then go through the best four to select the three 
 prizes and reserve. 
 
THE LOP 27 
 
 Colour is a great deal a matter of taste ; as we say of a 
 horse, it may be said of a Lop, a really good animal is 
 seldom of a bad colour. 
 
 Perhaps fawns, either self or with white markings, 
 which however should not predominate, are much in 
 favour ; but 1 have seen many good Blacks, Smuts, 
 Tortoiseshells, and Black and Whites, which have been 
 beautiful animals. 
 
 Shape and Condition are of course most important. 
 The body should appear lower at the shoulders and arch 
 nicely over the hind quarters, with straight fore and 
 hind legs, flesh firm but not unduly loaded with fat, 
 large, round, rather protruding, than inset, eyes, and a 
 general expression of alertness and health altogether. 
 
 With respect to the feeding of Lops, it is important 
 it should be varied in its elements, but of a nourishing 
 character. Many breeders advocate the use of goats' milk 
 if it can be obtained, and the youngsters taught to drink it 
 even before they are weaned from their mother, but if 
 cow's milk be used, it is thought better to boil it or mix 
 a little lukewarm water with it. 
 
 As regards feeding of the adults, I think sweet 
 meadow hay, a little clover hay-siftings mixed with middl- 
 ings, crumbling but not wet, is a good early morning 
 meal ; in the middle of the day the meal should be 
 mainly of green food, as we must bear in mind that the 
 natural food of all the Rabbit tribe is almost entirely 
 vegetable in its raw state. I prefer broccoli, cauliflower or 
 savoy to any other of the cabbage tribe's leaves, but I 
 also like milk and sow thistle, plantains and dandelions. 
 
28 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 Of course, all of them should be fresh, but never given in 
 a wet state. When none of them can be obtained, I use 
 carrots, white for choice, and even slices of mangolds and 
 swedes. 
 
 Green clover, and chicory, are both excellent, and all 
 rabbits are fond of them ; the latter has come more into 
 use of late years, and is easily grown by any who have 
 the ground to spare for its culture. 
 
 Some breeders use a great deal of oats with their 
 stock ; if this is done, they should be the heaviest and 
 best white oats that can be obtained. All owners of 
 horses will tell you how greatly oats vary in quality, 
 the inferior sorts seeming to consist mostly of husks, and 
 these are dear at any price. 
 
 When oats are much used, the stock will be all the 
 better with a little water to drink, once or twice a day, as 
 they seem to require it. 
 
 It is better to give them as much, at a meal, as you 
 find they consume, so that there is an empty pan when 
 feeding-time comes round. 
 
 Regularity in the time of feeding is important, the 
 stock soon get to know when they ought to be fed and 
 are on the look-out for the feeder. 
 
 The last meal in the day may be about six or seven in 
 the evening, and consist of much the same as the mid-day 
 feed, except that nursing does may have a few grey peas, 
 which have had twenty-four hours' previous soaking in cold 
 water and afterwards strained. 
 
 I would caution any novices amongst my readers 
 not to handle their stock more than is absolutely necessary, 
 
THE LOP 29 
 
 at any time. Not to interfere with a newly-born litter 
 for at least a few days after birth, except to remove any 
 that may be dead, or deformed. Not to take up young, 
 or adults, by the ears, but by the skin of the back. 
 
 And, generally, to remember that rabbits are timid, 
 nervous animals, requiring gentleness and care in their 
 treatment, and that sudden noises, or rough usage, cause 
 them much annoyance and discomfort which must be 
 injurious to their health and condition. I think perhaps I 
 have now said enough for my purpose about Lops, and 
 will give the standard of points for judging them, as fixed 
 by an old friend of mine, a breeder of many years* experi- 
 ence, and with which I am so much in agreement, that I 
 do not think I can improve upon them : 
 
 STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE 
 
 Points of the Exhibition Lop Rabbit 
 
 Length of ear . . . . .20 Points 
 Width of ear . . . . .15,, 
 
 Shape of body, and straightness of limbs .10 
 
 Eyes, as. to size, shape, and colour . 5 
 
 Size 5 
 
 Colour ....... 5 
 
 Carriage and general appearance . 5 
 
 Total 65 Points 
 
CHAPTER III 
 
 THE BELGIAN HARE 
 
 As far as I am aware, no variety of the Rabbit family 
 has been so persistently " boomed," of late years, as the 
 Belgian Hare, and the sensational sales at high figures, 
 many of which have been noticed in the papers, have 
 attracted notice beyond the usual fanciers' circles. 
 
 There seems to be a general concensus of opinion, 
 that the variety was first brought to any degree of per- 
 fection in Belgium, and that country is rightly credited as 
 its place of origin, but it is doubtful if, at the present 
 time, there are not more high-class specimens to be 
 found in this country and America, than anywhere else. 
 
 It is stated that until eleven years since, Belgian 
 Hares were practically unknown in America, and were 
 first introduced into the New England States by some 
 importations from Great Britain, but gradually spread 
 westward. They were most fully appreciated upon reaching 
 Los Angeles, California, which district claims to have the 
 largest Rabbitries in the world, mainly devoted to the 
 production of Belgian Hares. 
 
 Great expense and care have been incurred, by many 
 
 3 
 
THE BELGIAN HARE 31 
 
 enthusiastic fanciers in that district, to obtain the best 
 specimens obtainable. The climate seems to suit them 
 admirably, and, from some statistics I have seen, the 
 results appear almost incredible. 
 
 In 1898, a few pamphlets and newspaper articles 
 appeared, and some advertisements announced the arrival 
 of some Belgian Hares at Los Angeles, and within two 
 years afterwards, it was stated, there were no less than 
 six hundred Rabbitries there, large and small, mostly 
 carrying from fifty to seventy - five head of stock ; 
 many exceeding one hundred, some with two hundred, 
 and a few with more than a thousand each! It was 
 further stated that, without exaggeration, there were in 
 1900, the latest date of which I have obtained particulars, 
 over 60,000 Belgian Hares in South California alone, 
 and the number constantly on the increase ! 
 
 Up to that time the development had been chiefly from 
 the fanciers' standpoint, but the merits of the variety, in 
 a utilitarian respect, were receiving more attention, with 
 reason to expect substantial commercial returns. 
 
 " The American Association of Belgian Hare 
 Breeders " is an influential incorporated body of fanciers, 
 which has done much for the rapid growth of the fancy. 
 It held an Exposition, Mart and Feast, in Hagard's 
 Pavilion, Los Angeles, California, on 8th, 9th and loth 
 February 1900. It was perhaps the only, certainly the 
 largest, Exposition ever seen anywhere confined to one 
 variety of Rabbit. 
 
 I understand there were seventy classes at the show 
 for Belgian Hares, with prizes varying from two and a 
 
32 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 half to a hundred dollars in value, besides a great array of 
 specials of all sorts of things, offered by friends interested 
 in the breed. 
 
 The rules at this Exposition present so many novel 
 features, as compared with what our fanciers are accus- 
 tomed to, that I am tempted to reproduce them here, to 
 show what is being done " on the other side of the 
 water." 
 
 RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE AMERICAN 
 BREEDERS OF BELGIAN HARES' FIRST EXPOSITION, 
 MART, AND FEAST, to be given at Hazard's Pavilion, 
 Los Angeles, California, 8(h, tyh and loth February 
 1900. 
 
 The Company wishes all Exhibitors to understand, 
 that this Exposition is a business affair, and will be con- 
 ducted on business principles. To this end, an Exhibitor 
 may use any amount of his allotted space that he wishes 
 as an office, for the transaction of any business that may 
 be carried on by him. 
 
 A diagram of the floor space of the Pavilion, the 
 Exposition building, may be seen at the office of the 
 Corporation, Room 104, Currier Block, Los Angeles, 
 California, where floor space for exhibits and booths may 
 be engaged. 
 
 Mr P. E. Crabtree, of Denver, Colorado, Official Judge 
 of the " National Belgian Hare Club, of America," will 
 act as Judge of all specimens, judging the Belgian Hares, 
 
BELGIAN HARE "CH. FASHODA." 
 Owners, Bonanza Rabbitry, Los Angeles. 
 
 BELGIAN HARE "CH. DASH." 
 Owners, Meadowbrook B. H. Co., Los Angeles. 
 
 To face page 33. 
 
THE BELGIAN HARE 33 
 
 both standard bred and heavy weights, entered, by 
 scoring, and all other classes of competitors, by 
 comparison. 
 
 The judging will be done in public, and under the 
 management of a Committee of prominent citizens of 
 Southern California, who will be required to direct the 
 presentation of the specimens in such a manner as will 
 preclude any possibility of the Judge knowing whose 
 animal is before him. 
 
 Numbers will be used to designate the exhibits, and 
 these will not be placed until the award has been made. 
 
 The management is emphatically determined to 
 obviate every possibility of dissension between the 
 Exhibitors and the Judge, and all awards will be made 
 upon pure merit. 
 
 The commencement of the judging will take place at 
 nine o'clock, upon the opening day of the Exposition, 
 February 8, and will be completed at the earliest 
 moment possible. 
 
 All Premiums will be paid on the closing day of the 
 Exposition, February 10. 
 
 All specimens competing for prizes must be in their 
 places before nine o'clock on the morning of the 8th 
 of February. 
 
 All animals admitted to the Exposition must be in 
 good health. 
 
 No animals suffering from chronic ailments will be 
 allowed to compete, and any animal that becomes sick 
 after being entered must be removed at once to secluded 
 quarters. 
 
34 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 The supervision and examination of the health of the 
 hares will be in charge of a Committee, under the direc- 
 tion of Judge Crabtree and the Management. 
 
 Each Exhibitor will be required, on making entry 
 of Hares, to make Affidavit before a Notary Public as to 
 the correctness of his entries. 
 
 The Entrance Fee will be ten per cent, of the amount 
 of the purse, in each Class, and this amount shall be paid 
 at date of entry. 
 
 Exhibitors may rent and occupy space for the 
 purpose of exhibiting stock that is for sale, in addition to 
 their stock entered in competition, and will be allowed to 
 make sales, and deliver Hares, except of those entered in 
 competition, and refill the vacant places with other Hares, 
 at any time, during the Exposition. 
 
 Exhibitors will be required to furnish their own cages 
 for specimens, and these cages must be of uniform width 
 and height ; the cages must be two to two and a half 
 feet wide, and twenty inches high, if two tiers of cages are 
 used ; but if only one tier is used it may be forty inches 
 in height. 
 
 The length of the cage may be made to suit the 
 space used by the Exhibitor. Tables to place the cages 
 upon will be furnished by the Management, free of charge. 
 
 The construction, and arrangement, of the Office por- 
 tions of the booths will be at the pleasure of the Ex- 
 hibitor, and be complete by eight o'clock in the morning 
 of the 8th February. 
 
 Not more than two tiers high of cages will be 
 allowed. 
 
THE BELGIAN HARE 35 
 
 Exhibitors will be required to furnish their own food, 
 and to feed and water their own stock, and keep pens 
 clean ; the debris being carried away by the janitor. 
 Sawdust, or Cut Straw, and Dry Earth, will be furnished 
 by the Management, free. 
 
 At least five competitors must be entered in each 
 Class, to fill out said Class, except where otherwise stated. 
 
 For Entry Blanks, enclose stamp or call upon the 
 Secretary, or General Manager. 
 
 The score of an exhibit will determine the Winner, as 
 in individual specimens. 
 
 The Exhibitor must provide lock, and retain key, to 
 his cage, or cages, of Hares. 
 
 A Breeder is understood to be one who either breeds 
 a Doe, owned by him at the time of mating ; or purchases 
 a Doe, and orders her bred to a certain Buck ; or pur- 
 chases a Doe, already bred, providing he is impressed of 
 this fact before purchasing, and is also impressed as to 
 what Buck she is bred to, and receives a Certificate of 
 Breeding with the Doe. 
 
 An Auction Sale of Hares will take place, each day, 
 during the Exposition, at 1 1 o'clock a.m., and 2 o'clock 
 p.m. Specimens may be listed, with the Entry Clerk, 
 on the day previous to the Sale, and at a fee of ten per 
 cent, of the price realised from the Sale. 
 
 Exhibitors will be allowed to remove valuable Hares 
 from the Show-room, after each night's exhibition, and 
 return them on the following morning, not later than 
 eight o'clock. 
 
 Exhibitors may begin the arrangement of their booths 
 
36 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 as early as Wednesday morning, February 7, and every- 
 thing connected with the exhibit belonging to Exhibitors 
 must be removed, from space occupied, not later than six 
 o'clock in the morning of February 12. 
 
 Exhibitors must not so arrange their business, and 
 signs, as to obstruct the view of other booths, either in 
 front or rear. Any reasonable arrangement will be 
 permitted. 
 
 Entries of Hares will not be accepted later than 
 5th of February. Entries may be made by telegraph or 
 by letter. 
 
 All due diligence and care will be exercised by the 
 Management, to protect Exhibitors, and their specimens, 
 in every practical manner. 
 
 Further than this the Management will not assume 
 responsibility, in any sense. 
 
 A sufficient corps of assistants will be employed by the 
 Management, both day and night, to render the best 
 possible protection to Exhibitors. 
 
 Any ties occurring in Classes will be adjusted by 
 dividing the premium equally between the number of 
 Hares showing the same score in that Class, and a 
 Certificate will be issued by the Company to the owner 
 of each specimen, setting forth, in each case, the conditions 
 of the award. 
 
 Exhibitors entering as many as three specimens for 
 competition, or occupying purchased space at a cost exceed- 
 ing Six Dollars, will be* presented with a Season Ticket, 
 admitting them to the Pavilion at all times during the 
 Exposition. 
 
THE BELGIAN HARE 37 
 
 Medals and Cups will be delivered to the winning 
 competitors within sixty days of the close of the Exhibition, 
 or earlier, if possible to get them made. 
 
 As these " Rules and Regulations" are different, and 
 in some respects more stringent, than those we are 
 used to in this country, such of my readers as may 
 happen to be Exhibitors will read them with interest. 
 Although many of them appear rather arbitrary, still 
 if the Exhibitors, whose entries are required to make 
 the show, do not object to them, no one else has any 
 right to complain. 
 
 The very fact that a successful Exposition was held, 
 on such terms, goes to prove what a firm hold the Rabbit 
 Fancy has obtained "over there." 
 
 The Association of American Breeders of Belgian 
 Hares makes no secrets of its objects, which are to 
 advance the best interests of the Belgian in every way. 
 To secure the best strains of blood in the world, 
 crossing them with their home-bred stock, and thus 
 obtain not only individuals of the highest excellence, but 
 of best possible types. 
 
 They express their intention to protect the public, 
 so that each purchaser of Belgian Hares shall get just what 
 he wants, and is willing to pay for ; to produce hares that 
 shall be worth long prices, and have great merit as beauti- 
 ful specimens. They also keep in view the commercial 
 side of the industry, and realise that ultimately thousands 
 of hares will be bred and sold for the food supply. 
 
 They mean to use their influence towards fairness 
 
38 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 and honesty in dealing, so that, whether a buyer wants 
 stock for show purposes, or cheap stuff for table use, he 
 shall receive just and fair treatment. 
 
 For this purpose, they will aid, assist, and advise all 
 breeders whom they find worthy of confidence. 
 
 They consider the climate of their country is well 
 suited for the objects of their fancy, and although they 
 have been, at the outset, at considerable expense and risk, 
 in importing so many high-priced specimens from Great 
 Britain, a heavy percentage of which have been lost, or 
 suffered from their long journeys by sea and land, they 
 are of opinion that the careful crossing of new blood with 
 their native strains, assisted by their mild, open climate, 
 will produce as good and hardy specimens of the variety 
 as can be found anywhere. 
 
 It is their hope, and conviction, that their country may 
 become as celebrated for its Belgian Hares as it has been 
 for its Race Horses, and that they may be able to send 
 over here specimens to compete for International Prizes 
 at our best shows. 
 
 They state that they have every resource at command 
 for breeding Belgian Hares on a wholesale scale, as a com- 
 mercial commodity, and have reason to believe such may 
 be done with all prospects of success. The Association 
 has drawn up a carefully- worded scale of points and 
 description, which is divided into two sections, one 
 for exhibition, and another for table purposes, so I think 
 I had better set both out, as it is more than possible 
 some of my readers may dispose of some of their stock 
 to American buyers, and by consulting the Standards of 
 
THE BELGIAN HARE 39 
 
 Excellence referred to they can see how they approach, or 
 are at variance with, what in that country is looked upon 
 as correct. 
 
 AMERICAN STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE IN 
 THE BELGIAN HARE 
 
 Disqualifications. (i) Lopped or fallen ear or ears ; 
 (2) white front feet or white bar or bars on same ; (3) de- 
 cidedly wry feet ; (4) wry tail. A specimen should 
 have the benefit of any doubt. 
 
 
 Points of Excellence 
 
 Colour. Rich rufus red, not dark smudgy 
 col our, carried well down sides and hind quarters, 
 and as little white under jaws as possible . 20 Points 
 
 Ticking. Rather wavy appearance and 
 plentiful . . '.-'.. . . 15 ,, 
 
 Shape. Body thin, well tucked up flank, 
 and well ribbed up ; back slightly arched, 
 loins well rounded, not choppy ; head rather 
 lengthy, muscular chest, tail straight, not 
 screwed, and altogether of a racy appear- 
 ance 20 
 
 Ears. About five inches, thin, well laced 
 on tips, and as far down outside edges as 
 possible, good colour inside and outside, and 
 well set on . . . . . . .10,, 
 
 Eyes. Hazel colour, large, round, bright 
 and bold 10 
 
40 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 Legs and feet. Forefeet and legs, long, 
 straight, slender, well coloured and free from 
 white bars ; hind feet as well coloured as 
 possible . . . . . . .10 Points 
 
 Size. About eight pounds . . . 5 
 
 Condition. Not fat, but flesh firm like a 
 race horse, and good quality of fur . 5 ,, 
 
 Without dewlap . . . . 5 
 
 Total 100 Points 
 
BELGIAN HARE " CH. PRIORY PRINCE." 
 Owner, E. H. Guy, Reigate. 
 
 BELGIAN HARE "LORD LURGAN." 
 Owners, Lord Lurgan Rabbitry, Los Angeles. 
 
 To face page 41. 
 
CHAPTER IV 
 
 STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR THE HEAVY 
 WEIGHT BELGIAN HARE 
 
 Disqualifications. ( i ) Lopped or fallen ears ; (2) white 
 front feet, or white bar or bars on same ; (3) decidedly 
 wry front feet ; (4) wry tail ; (5) mature specimens 
 weighing less than ten pounds. A specimen should have 
 the benefit of any doubt. 
 
 Description 
 
 Colour. Ticking should be moderately plentiful and 
 quite wavy, ranging in importance as to quantity in the 
 order in which the sections are here named : viz., hips, 
 back, upper sides ; it should not extend to lower sides, 
 over shoulders, nor on breast and front legs. 
 
 Special sections, a deep cream colour under jaws, a 
 bright cream colour under belly, and white under tail. 
 
 Lacing, dense black, extensive in length, and confined 
 closely to edge of ear. Colour proper, rich rufus red, 
 not smudgy, and free from dense blue under colour. 
 
 Size. The animal should be long in vertebrae, between 
 couplings, long in limb, have ears five and a half inches, 
 and possess large eyes. 
 
 Weight. Eleven pounds. 
 
4 2 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 Shape. The head should be long and moderately 
 coarse, the ears not too thick, the eyes round and bold, 
 breast full wide, evenly carried dewlap ; front legs and 
 feet coarse, heavy boned, straight and firm in bone and 
 joint ; body round and massive, a continuous arch carried 
 from back to tail, with no tendency to squareness on rump. 
 
 Condition. The flesh should be firm, the fur in 
 good healthy condition, the animal moderately close 
 coated and tight skinned, thus giving it an active alert 
 appearance. 
 
 Colour 
 
 Ticking quantity . 
 Ticking quality . 
 Back . 
 Sides . 
 
 Hind quarters 
 Jaws . 
 Lacing 
 Ears . 
 Belly . 
 Eyes . 
 Shoulders . 
 Front legs and feet 
 Hind legs and feet 
 
 Condition 
 Flesh 
 Fur 
 
 Size 
 
 5 Points Length of vertebrae 3 Points 
 5 Length of fore legs 4 
 Length of hind legs 4 
 Length of ears 2 
 Size of eye . 2 
 Weight of specimen 4 
 
 Shape 
 
 Head . . 4 
 
 Breast . . 4 
 
 Front legs and feet 4 
 
 4 
 
 4 
 
 4 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 Ears 
 Eyes 
 Body 
 Rump 
 
 Quality 
 Fur . 
 Skin 
 
 Total 100 Points 
 
 Official weight at maturity, eleven pounds ; official 
 
THE BELGIAN HARE 4 3 
 
 age at maturity, eleven months ; official cut for lacking 
 weight at maturity, half a point to the quarter pound, or 
 fraction thereof, and in immature specimens, half as heavy 
 a cut, calculating them to weigh a pound for every month 
 of age. 
 
 SCALE FOR RATING FAT HARES 
 
 Dressed Capons 
 
 Best portion of carcass, ham and loins . .20 Points 
 Quality of flesh, size of bone considered . 20 
 Colour of flesh, and fat . . . . 20 
 
 Degree of fatness . . . . .10,, 
 
 Weight . . . . . . . 20 ,, 
 
 Manner of dressing and preparing for shipment i o , , 
 
 Total 100 Points 
 
 Up to now Americans have undoubtedly proved the 
 best buyers of valuable stock that traders in this country 
 have ever met with, so I have ventured to give detailed 
 particulars of their views about this variety, as I have 
 never seen them set out in any work on Rabbits hitherto 
 published here, and hope they may be of service to some 
 of my fellow fanciers. 
 
 The Belgian Hare has been taken up much more 
 warmly of late years in this country, more especially in 
 the South and West. It has always had a fair amount of 
 support in the North, where they are keen fanciers of 
 Dogs, Cats, Rabbits, as well as Pigeons and some varieties 
 of Poultry. 
 
44 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 At one time there was a good deal of discussion and 
 controversy carried on, as to whether the Belgian Hare 
 was the production of a cross between the Hare and some 
 kind of Rabbit, but all the evidence of value I have 
 examined leads me to disbelieve it. 
 
 We know how closely in colouring and form they 
 approach the Hare, but their ways and habits are more 
 in accordance with a Rabbit ancestry, and their young are 
 different to leverets, which are, to all intents and 
 purposes, born clothed ; whereas all rabbits are almost 
 bare of any covering at all. 
 
 I merely mention the matter, because it is sometimes 
 referred to ; for my own part, I do not think there is 
 much in it, although I am aware many persons consider the 
 flesh of Belgian Hares superior to that of any other of the 
 Rabbit tribe, and more approaching the flavour of the Hare. 
 
 In case it may suit the convenience of some of my 
 readers to try the experiment, I may say that Belgian 
 Hares are looked upon as a hardy race, where they can 
 be sufficiently protected from climatic vicissitudes. They 
 have been found admirably suited for life in woods and 
 warrens, when does of eight months old or more have 
 been placed out, with bucks of not under six months, of 
 course, the number of the former considerably in excess of 
 the latter. They must all be looked after for some time 
 after they are located, both in the way of securing them a 
 sufficiency of food and water, and guarding against their 
 being demolished by their terrestial and aerial enemies, of 
 which they have so many, and from some of which they 
 possess no means of escape. 
 
BELGIAN HARE "SIR STYLES." 
 Owners, Messrs Brown and Westbrook, Los Angeles. 
 
 BELGIAN HARE "LADY DI." 
 Owner, C. II. Lane. 
 
 To face page 
 
THE BELGIAN HARE 45 
 
 All rabbits have the reputation of being timid, but 
 this variety is thought exceptionally so, therefore, noise, 
 or roughness, should be most carefully avoided in all deal- 
 ings with them, especially with breeding does, or serious 
 results may ensue. 
 
 Although a dewlap does not amount to a positive dis- 
 qualification, with most judges it has considerable weight 
 against a specimen, which should be borne in mind by any 
 purchasers for breeding, or show. 
 
 Straight, and rather fine, lengthy, fore and hind legs, 
 of as warm a shade of golden-reddish tan as possible, are 
 points to be sought after. 
 
 Length of body with hare-like tickings, on back and 
 sides in particular, and a shape arching over the rump, 
 with a longish rather fine head, bold bright eyes, medium 
 length ears, with dense black lacing on upper edges, give 
 a racy look to the animal, which, although the colouring 
 is plain and unostentatious in tint, is altogether pleasing 
 and more easy to appreciate. by ocular demonstration than 
 by any written description. 
 
 We are told that imitation is the sincerest flattery, 
 and we should therefore feel flattered that, the Association 
 of American Breeders of Belgian Hares have practically 
 adopted the standard of our own breeders, for the perfec- 
 tion of this variety. 
 
 In some few particulars our judges attach more value 
 to one point and less to another ; but, as to the general 
 appearance of what the animal should be, there is very 
 little difference between the two. 
 
 One matter I should mention is, that the more room 
 
46 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 this variety has, in reason, and the more it is sheltered 
 from the heat of the sun, the more likely is the stock to 
 be bright, active, and lengthy in limbs, all desirable to 
 attain. 
 
 If hutches are used, they are better if at least five 
 feet in length, by two feet high, and wide ; if convenient 
 to give even more room, all the better, and, in fine dull 
 weather, a run outside will do them a lot of good, and 
 you will see them play some rare antics, as in many cases 
 they are as light hearted as kittens. 
 
 I do not know that I need say anything special about 
 food, as the feeding of this variety is much the same as 
 for others of the family ; of course, bearing in mind to 
 increase it in quantity, and quality, when the does are 
 suckling young. 
 
 Many breeders contend that, with the possibilities of 
 breeding valuable prize specimens, and the almost certainty 
 of producing useful stock for table purposes, more profit 
 can be made from Belgian Hare does than from cows ; 
 if the amount of capital invested in each is considered, 
 and the cost of the labour required to care for them. 
 And they also say, that although u something for 
 nothing," or "money without work/' is hardly to be 
 expected from this, any more than any other industry, 
 there is no animal that will give a quicker or better 
 return. 
 
 I will here give a standard of the points to be sought 
 for in this variety, as set out by a man I consider second 
 to none in his knowledge of the breed and the high 
 quality of the specimens he has produced. I have slightly 
 
THE BELGIAN HARE 
 
 47 
 
 altered some of his figures, but only rateably, so as to bring 
 up the total to a hundred, rather than a broken number. 
 
 STANDARD OF POINTS FOR JUDGING EXHIBITION 
 BELGIAN HARES 
 
 1. Colour . . . . . .16 Points 
 
 2. Ticking . . . . . 4 ,, 
 
 3. Eyes roundness, 3 ; size, 3 ; brightness, 
 
 1 ; regularity, I . . . 8 
 
 4. Ears shortness, 3 ; shape and position, 
 
 2 ; texture and edging, 3 . . .8 
 
 5. Head length, 5 ; width, 3 ; shape, 2 . 10 ,, 
 
 6. Feet and legs straightness, 9 ; free from 
 
 white, 6; length, 3 . . . .18 ,, 
 
 7. Neck shortness, 4 ; stoutness, 2 ; chest, 
 
 2 ; shoulders, 2 10 ,, 
 
 8. Condition . . . . 15 
 
 9. General formation of carcass . . 6 ,, 
 10. Without dewlap . . 5 
 
 Total 100 Points 
 
CHAPTER V 
 
 THE BLACK AND TAN RABBIT 
 
 THIS must be looked upon as one of the latest candidates 
 for favour of all the Rabbit tribe, as there is no record of 
 any appearing until within the last twenty years. 
 
 As I have not heard of any importations of the 
 variety it seems to be generally admitted they are home 
 productions, the result of some cross breeding, but there 
 is considerable doubt as to what were the parents of the 
 earliest specimens. 
 
 From the first the black has been better in its purity 
 and denseness than the tan, which has usually failed in 
 brightness and evenness of tint. Up to the present 
 time, breeders have found this their most important 
 obstacle to success, as well as the keeping the black from 
 being marked, or speckled, with tan hairs. 
 
 For some time there was a diversity of opinion as to 
 the size of specimens for show purposes, some going for 
 those from five to seven pounds and more, and others 
 preferring those not exceeding five pounds in weight. 
 
 I think the smaller size is now most in favour, and 
 that rabbits above five pounds in weight must be un- 
 
BLACK AND TAN " IDEAL." 
 Owner, Rev. W. Mathias. 
 
 BLUE AND TAN " CH. PRESIDENT LINCOLN 
 Owners, Messrs Ovenden and Fawcett. 
 
 To face page 48. 
 
THE BLACK AND TAN RABBIT 49 
 
 usually good in colour and other respects, to have much 
 chance against smaller specimens of fair quality. 
 
 Breeders of black and tans seem to find the male sex 
 predominates over the female in litters of this variety. 
 Consequently there are often a great number of young 
 bucks about five months old for sale at moderate prices, 
 as, at that age, a fair estimate can be formed whether 
 they will be good enough to keep. 
 
 Purchasers should endeavour to see the parents of any 
 stock offered to them, and choose the offspring of the 
 best-coloured specimens. For breeding take a buck from 
 one strain and a doe from another, if possible both good in 
 colouring, but if not possible to do this, get a buck from 
 a well-tanned strain and a doe from a strain remarkable 
 for density of black and excellence in shape and type. 
 I would rather breed from a rather large-sized doe, 
 with a small typical buck, than the reverse, and should 
 expect better results. 
 
 The blue and tans although at some large shows at 
 the present day classes are provided for them cannot be 
 treated as a distinct variety, as they are often met with 
 in litters from black and tan parents. 
 
 They are very taking specimens, and I think more 
 often purer in their body colour, that is, less sprinkled 
 with light or tanned hairs than the black and tans ; and, 
 for this reason, a fair blue and tan, with decent tanned 
 markings, will often be put before a black and tan in the 
 show pens. 
 
 Neither variety are very early in development, and 
 consequently it is not wise to part with any under four 
 
 D 
 
50 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 or five months old, as it is almost impossible before then 
 to judge which will turn out to be the most valuable to 
 keep. The litter should not be taken from the mother 
 until at least two months old, and they should not be 
 bred during the cold season of the year ; between 
 February and July is the best time for them. They are 
 usually susceptible to cold, and rather liable to develop 
 snuffles if not well cared for. 
 
 Two great points to be aimed at in breeding this 
 variety (I am treating black and blue and tans as one 
 and the same for all practical purposes), are to keep down 
 size, while preserving colour and type. 
 
 If I were breeding to obtain black and tans, I would 
 act as before stated ; but if trying for blue and tans, I 
 would sooner use a black and tan buck of rich colouring, 
 with blue and tan doe, than use two blue and tans, as I 
 think by doing so I should be likely to get blue and 
 tans of richer and purer colour ; but even in this way 
 there would probably be some black and tans in the 
 litter. 
 
 This, as I have said, being a variety late in coming 
 into form, it is not wise to show them in young classes, 
 unless confined to black or blue and tans, as they would 
 be heavily handicapped by meeting young Lops, Dutch, 
 Himalayans, and others, which give much earlier promise 
 of their points of excellence. 
 
 Both black and blue and tans are decidedly pretty 
 animals, if correct in shape and colour, but may be looked 
 upon as eminently Fancy Rabbits, rather than kept for 
 utility. 
 
THE BLACK AND TAN RABBIT 51 
 
 In this, as in all fancy stock, if a breeder desires to be 
 able to sell specimens, he must exhibit and win prizes, 
 or he will not be able to get remunerative prices ; but it is 
 better to breed from does after they have won a few good 
 prizes, if possible mating them also to prize-winning bucks, 
 than to attempt to show and breed from the same does. 
 
 By this the does will not have the strain of the 
 excitement and fatigue attending exhibition life, and be 
 more likely to keep in form. 
 
 I do not know of anything specially to be said about 
 their feeding, except that it should be sound and 
 nourishing, with plenty of green food during the summer 
 months, but never given at all wet, or with even the dew 
 on it. 
 
 They are fairly hardy in constitution as a rule, but 
 not a variety I consider suited to outdoor hutches, and all 
 draughts or cold air should be avoided. They are active 
 in their habits, and it will be all the better, if convenient, 
 to give them plenty of room for exercise ; it is better to 
 separate the sexes, and keep them away from each other 
 before attaining six months, and not to use either sex for 
 breeding until seven or eight months old, especially does. 
 
 I think I have said enough in a general way about this 
 variety, and will now mention what are the main points 
 to be aimed at for exhibition stock, and give a standard 
 for an ideal specimen. 
 
 The colour of the body should be pure glossy black, 
 or darkish slate blue, as the case may be, on back, top of 
 head, face and ears (which should be short and small) ; 
 there should be a triangular-shaped mark, like the letter 
 
52 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 "V," of rich golden tan colour, at back of neck; the 
 belly should be pure white with a soft shading of tan, 
 where the black of body colour joins it ; the colouring of 
 fore feet should be black or blue and tan mixed ; the 
 colour of chest as bright tan as procurable, and a small 
 circle or ring of tan round each eye. 
 
 The ears, black outside with tanned insides ; and the 
 nostrils of rich tanned colour. 
 
 Black or blue should predominate in the colour of the 
 sides of hind feet, but the upper parts should be of rich 
 tan, and the same shade under the thighs. The eyes 
 should be moderately full, dark and expressive. The 
 weight should not exceed five pounds for a matured 
 specimen, and even less is desirable. 
 
 STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR JUDGING BLACK 
 AND BLUE AND TAN RABBITS 
 
 Head (smallness and neatness) ... 5 Points 
 Ears (size and colour, outside and inside) .10 
 Eyes (with markings round them) . 5 
 
 Shape of body (with colour of chest and top 
 
 of shoulders) . . : , - - -, v . . 25 ,, 
 Fore legs and feet (with shape, size and 
 
 markings) . , , : ,. V'i . .10,, 
 Hind legs and feet, and thighs, with markings 15 ,, 
 Condition . . . - ,. . . . 20 
 Size, not exceeding five pounds . . ... 10 
 
 Total 100 Points 
 
CHAPTER VI 
 
 THE PATAGONIAN RABBIT 
 
 ALTHOUGH this variety is named after a district in South 
 America, I have never heard of any specimens being 
 imported from that part of the world, but they have been 
 extensively bred on the Continent of Europe, more 
 especially France. 
 
 From the fact that they have been little in demand 
 for exhibition, and almost entirely bred for table use, 
 there has not been much trouble bestowed on keeping the 
 strains pure, and they have been crossed with both Belgian 
 Hares and Flemish Giants, from time to time. 
 
 In colouring it much resembles the wild rabbit, but 
 has more of iron grey in its tints, and often appears 
 freckled or mottled in hue. The belly is generally 
 almost white in shade. 
 
 The carriage of the ears is one peculiarity of the 
 variety. While stout and strong in substance, and wider 
 than most others, they do not seem as stiff, and frequently 
 have a bent and broken appearance, making them hang 
 over at tips, as though overpowered by their length and 
 weight. They are large, massive rabbits, and it is not at 
 
 53 
 
54 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 all unusual for specimens fattened for the table to 
 make up to seventeen pounds and upwards. 
 
 It is desirable to give breeding does large hutches, 
 from five to six feet in length, with about one third 
 partitioned off for sleeping box, the aperture into which 
 should be large enough to admit the rabbit without 
 touching her large semi-erect ears. They are rather 
 lumbering clumsy animals, and not likely to trouble 
 about lowering their heads when going in or out of a 
 doorway. 
 
 They are usually good tempered and docile, kind and 
 attentive mothers, but if cramped for room, sometimes 
 cause injury to their young by stepping or lying upon 
 them. 
 
 They are found to breed very true to colour when 
 properly mated ; the sandy colour sometimes seen is not 
 desirable, and is thought to be the result of a former 
 cross with the Belgian Hare. Shades of grey only are 
 preferred, except on the belly and under parts, where 
 white and pale yellow is allowable, but the general 
 appearance of the rabbit is grey, rather deeper and richer 
 than in its wild cousin. Of course a variety of shades 
 will be found, even in members of the same litter, but the 
 more uniform they are in this respect the better. 
 
 As a rule the does do not have such large litters as in 
 some other varieties, perhaps from five to seven on an 
 average. 
 
 In feeding and general management, except as 
 mentioned about size of hutches, what I have said 
 respecting Belgian Hares will apply to Patagonians, 
 
THE PATAGONIAN RABBIT 55 
 
 which although such large animals are not found to be 
 proportionately large eaters, and are so hardy in 
 constitution, that when provided with some protection 
 against wet or very cold weather, have been found to do 
 well in the open. 
 
 But if this is done, a suitable season in the late spring 
 or early summer should be chosen, and the young stock 
 intended to be turned out acclimatised for a while in 
 outside hutches. The place for the change should be as 
 warm and sheltered as possible, protected with wire 
 netting let deep into the ground, and supported with 
 stakes at intervals to guard against the entry of un- 
 desirable visitors of all kinds. 
 
 The early part of the year, after February, is thought 
 the best time to commence breeding operations, and if 
 the stock is mainly meant for table purposes, keep a 
 number of youngsters together in a shed, or room, where 
 plenty of suitable food, such as sweet hay, crushed oats, 
 milk and sow thistles, plantains, dandelions, etc., are 
 provided, avoiding such as are too aperient in nature. 
 
 Almost any time between three and six months old 
 they may be put up for fattening, when those selected 
 should be moved into separate hutches. Oats and 
 barley are good staples for their food, but a little meal 
 may occasionally be given. If they have been used to a 
 little oil cake it will have a good effect in increasing 
 weight, but, of course, the taste for it must be acquired. 
 
 Almost every house has crusts and ends of bread 
 which are not valued, and Patagonians are very fond of 
 these, and this addition to the diet of those being fattened 
 
56 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 has been found to produce beneficial effects in their 
 condition. 
 
 I think the great point to be considered is to give as 
 much variety in food as possible, provided it is of a 
 nourishing character, and such as they will eat with an 
 appetite. 
 
 I like to see any kind of animal or bird of mine 
 take their food readily, and as if they enjoyed it ; 
 knowing there is not often much the matter when 
 that is the case. 
 
 As in some of the other large breeds used for the 
 table, gelding is sometimes adopted when great size is 
 desired ; the operation, which should be performed by a 
 practised hand, may take place when they are put up for 
 fattening. 
 
 I should have said that boiled potatoes, mixed with a 
 little barley, or oatmeal, and given lukewarm, are useful 
 additions to the tariff, when fattening ; and they are 
 partial to a little milk occasionally, particularly with 
 some sugar mixed with it. 
 
 Straw will be found better than hay, or other material, 
 for such as are confined in hutches, and if well supplied 
 with hay they will not be likely to eat their beds. 
 
 One of the main points to be sought in this variety, 
 after size, is to get as much uniformity in colour, with 
 large, strong, lengthy ears ; the eyes appear set rather 
 wide apart, and the head large and very wide. 
 
 In shape Patagonians run rather wide from the neck 
 to the loins, with heavy hind quarters and large hips, the 
 bones of which are very noticeable. 
 
THE PATAGONIAN RABBIT 
 
 57 
 
 There is a dignified, comfortable appearance about a 
 Patagonian, which is very pleasant to see. As a rule, 
 it is not timid, or averse from being made much of, and 
 it is not often found quarrelsome or disagreeable with 
 its companions. 
 
 The following scale of points, suggested by one who 
 has had much experience of the variety, may be of service 
 to my readers : 
 
 STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR JUDGING PATA- 
 GONIAN RABBITS 
 
 Head (size, shape, colour) . 
 Ears (colour, size, shape) . -* 
 Eyes (largeness, fulness, shape) . 
 Body (shape) . .[ ..', , 
 Colour (evenness in shade) . 
 Condition and general appearance 
 Size, exceeding ten pounds . 
 
 5 Points 
 
 10 
 
 10 
 10 
 
 2 5 
 10 
 
 30 
 
 Total 100 Points 
 
CHAPTER VII 
 
 THE JAPANESE RABBIT 
 
 As far as I remember, this is the latest variety we 
 have seen in this country, and it is not by any means 
 common now. 
 
 I have not heard of any being seen in Europe prior 
 to 1893, and they were looked upon as great curiosities, 
 which is partly accounted for by their peculiar appear- 
 ance. 
 
 I believe it to be rightly named, and that the first 
 specimens seen in Europe were really imported from 
 Japan, which interesting kingdom still breeds the 
 variety in considerable numbers, but for utilitarian 
 purposes only. I have not heard of any exhibitions of 
 live stock there, although we know that the Japanese are 
 more progressive and enterprising than any other of the 
 Eastern nations, and have adopted many of the customs 
 and institutions of the West ; and it would probably be 
 found that the Japanese who read, speak and write 
 European languages are, at least, in the proportion of one 
 hundred to one of the Europeans who can do the like in 
 Japanese ! 
 
 58 
 
TYPICAL JAPANESE RABBIT. 
 
 TYPICAL PATAGONIAN RABBIT. 
 
 To face page 58. 
 
THE JAPANESE RABBIT 59 
 
 This variety is credited, with being gentle and 
 docile in temperament, good breeders, excellent mothers 
 and moderate eaters, but not dainty in their diet. They 
 have proved themselves sufficiently hardy to do well 
 in outside hutches, of course protected against wet or 
 cold weather, and not difficult to breed and rear. Being 
 of active, lively habits, they are best kept in roomy 
 hutches, as they otherwise have a tendency to develop 
 dewlaps, which are not desirable in the breed. There is 
 much of the Dutch Rabbit in the shape of this variety, 
 but there the likeness ends, as mature specimens are 
 usually much larger and heavier animals than the Dutch 
 seen at our shows. This is such a very recent arrival in 
 this country that little is known about it, with certainty, 
 as there are few persons with any practical experience in 
 regard to it, nor am I aware that any attempt has been 
 made to fix a standard by which specimens should be 
 judged. 
 
 Unfortunately, some of the earliest importations were 
 not kept as pure as they might have been, but crossed 
 with other varieties, which has increased the difficulties of 
 intending fanciers. 
 
 If, however, some energetic breeders will take the 
 matter in hand, it will be interesting to see a new variety 
 brought forward which seems to have many points in its 
 favour. 
 
 For the information of such of my readers who 
 have not seen any specimens, I give a brief description of 
 its appearance. 
 
 The head is large, and the ears strong, thick, with 
 
60 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 black lacings at upper edges ; legs rather short, thick, 
 straight, and muscular ; eyes dark and not very pro- 
 minent ; coat rather open in character, but soft and fine 
 in texture ; the colour is rather uncommon, all the belly 
 and underneath parts being fawn, while the back is a rich 
 orange, with belts or stripes (usually two) of black round 
 the body, commencing behind the shoulders, and down 
 each side, joining the fawn on belly ; there is a black 
 smutty mark on the nose, and above it a white 
 spot, which is the only white allowable, the other 
 colour beings fawn, orange, and black, distributed as 
 mentioned. 
 
 It will be gathered, from the foregoing slight sketch, 
 that this variety is of quaint and striking appearance. I 
 have said that very little is yet known about it in a general 
 way, and it remains to be seen if it will be taken up, 
 either for show or utility purposes ; for both of which it 
 offers advantages, being said to be hardy in constitution, 
 quite out of the common in its markings and aspect, 
 and of sufficient size to make it useful for the 
 table. Being a large variety, averaging when matured 
 some ten or twelve pounds, of course they should be 
 given large roomy hutches, where they would take plenty 
 of exercise, and I should think they would be suited with 
 much the same treatment as suggested for the Pata- 
 gonians, and make up into handsome specimens. 
 
 I append a reproduction of the best portrait I 
 have been able to obtain, of a typical representa- 
 tive of the variety, which will give some idea of its 
 appearance. 
 
THE JAPANESE RABBIT 
 
 61 
 
 STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR JUDGING JAPANESE 
 
 RABBITS 
 
 Head, large and substantial . 
 Ears, strong, thick, and with black lacing 
 Eyes, as to colour and prominence ... 
 Body, legs and feet . . . . 
 Condition and general appearance . , ; 
 Size not less than ten pounds for adults 
 Colour and markings . . , . g . - 
 
 10 Points 
 
 10 
 
 10 
 
 J 5 
 
 10 
 
 20 
 
 25 
 
 Total 100 Points 
 
CHAPTER VIII 
 
 THE POLISH RABBIT 
 
 THIS variety, as far as my experience goes, is neither 
 so extensively kept or shown, as it was some years 
 since, and yet it has many good qualities. The animals 
 are neat and pretty in themselves, may be bred to a 
 weight making them useful for table commodities, and 
 their fur, from its purity and colour, can be turned to 
 good account, when produced in sufficient quantities for 
 the furriers. I have been given to understand they are 
 largely bred, on the Continent of Europe, for the latter 
 object. 
 
 As to its place of origin, it has been doubted by 
 many whether it really was a native of Poland, but it is 
 not material to go into the question ; it is certain the 
 variety has been bred more or less extensively in Europe 
 for the last fifty years, and has been during all that 
 period known as Polish. 
 
 No doubt, its resemblance to what was known as 
 the common white rabbit, probably derived from albino 
 specimens of the wild bunnies, has been against it, but 
 there are several marked distinctions which may be 
 noticed between them. 
 
 62 
 
THE POLISH RABBIT 63 
 
 The Polish is more elegant in shape, not so long in 
 body or legs, shorter in neck, purer and more even in 
 colour, and what some describe as more snaky in out- 
 line, and, although not heavy looking, weighs more 
 than its appearance suggests. 
 
 The eye of the Polish is a lighter shade of pink than 
 seen in any of the other varieties with such colour ; the fur 
 is short and of a chalky white, without shade or tint, which 
 contrasts with almost any other white rabbit in this respect, 
 and gives it an appearance of its own, but somewhat 
 difficult to describe on paper. 
 
 I should not call it one of the hardy sort, and it does 
 better in indoor hutches, being susceptible to cold and 
 wind. As it is active in habit, it should have plenty of 
 hutch room ; I have found them rather shy, and not 
 caring about much notice or handling, but docile and 
 easily managed. 
 
 It is a prolific breeder, with litters averaging five or 
 six in each ; the does make good and attentive mothers. 
 They are placed by many persons second only to the 
 Dutch as foster mothers; some are kept in Rabbitries 
 for this purpose alone, and found very useful. The 
 young when born are of a delicate pink tint, and for 
 some days, until the white begins to appear, very little 
 difference can be seen in them. The mothers are very 
 jealous of any interference with their young, and are best 
 left alone, as much as possible, at this time ; they are so 
 assiduous in their maternal duties, that they should be 
 well kept up with nourishing food when they are suck- 
 ling, or their health may be endangered. 
 
64 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 At five or six weeks old some, at least, of the young 
 may be taken away for weaning, leaving a few of the 
 most promising a week or two longer with the doe. 
 When removed, a number of the youngsters may be run 
 together in a room or shed, where they can have plenty 
 of space for growth and exercise until they are about four 
 months old. Then the bucks should be separated from 
 the does, and hutched separately, but the does may con- 
 tinue to run together, unless found to quarrel, as is not 
 often the case with them. The spring of the year is the 
 best time to begin breeding operations, and does of eight 
 or nine months are thought better than those younger, 
 mated with bucks of not less than six or seven months. 
 This variety is not one in which crossing has been found 
 beneficial, although experiments have been made with 
 several sorts. It is best to keep them pure, of course, 
 with introduction of fresh blood occasionally to avoid 
 inbreeding. 
 
 As an article of food the flesh of the Polish is 
 esteemed as being very palatable, and, as mentioned, the 
 fur has a market value, when produced in quantities 
 acceptable to the trade. 
 
 I think it may be of interest to my readers if I quote 
 the views of my old friend, Enoch Hutton, F.Z.S., 
 upon this variety. He has been an extensive breeder of 
 Polish, and had a long experience with them, and has 
 suggested a very elaborate standard by which they shall be 
 judged. I consider his opinion on the matter is deserv- 
 ing of attention and consideration, as he has often 
 had large classes before him as judge, particularly 
 
POLISH RABBIT. 
 A big winner. Owner, Geo. Dickinson. 
 
 POLISH RABBIT "LORD RICHARD." 
 Owner, C. II. Lane. 
 
 To face page 64. 
 
THE POLISH RABBIT 65 
 
 in the North and Midlands, where he so often 
 officiates. 
 
 "This is one of the most common of domesticated 
 rabbits, its principal characteristic being the purity of the 
 snowy whiteness of its coat. It looks as though it was 
 delicate in constitution, yet the contrary is the case. As 
 a rule, it is very hardy, requiring little or no attention, 
 beyond perfect cleanliness, sufficient room and a due 
 regard to food. 
 
 " Why designated Polish I must confess myself at a loss 
 to understand, for though no doubt many specimens have 
 been imported, and perhaps some from Poland and Russia, 
 yet I could never ascertain that they are more plentiful 
 there than elsewhere. 
 
 "But I will not quarrel with the name, as I suppose, 
 like everything else, it must have some appellation, and 
 why not Polish as well as any other ; even if, as in the 
 case of the Hamburgh Fowl, it be scarcely known in the 
 locality from which it takes its name? 
 
 " Upwards of thirty years ago I had them in large 
 quantities, the does frequently producing as many as 
 eleven at a birth, very few being lost in rearing, and 
 seldom, or ever, any deviation or sport from the parental 
 colour. 
 
 "As a matter of course, its fur must be of snowy 
 whiteness, very short, fine and thick, and close at 
 the bottom, with no approach to wiry coarseness inter- 
 mixed. 
 
 " As in all cases where the fur and flesh are the 
 only value, I go in for size in preference to the 
 
66 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 smaller specimens ; and if other points be kept to, 
 I should in all cases prefer the large ones for the show 
 pen. 
 
 " Many are not more than three pounds in weight, 
 and these as a rule at the present day are the best 
 in other points, so that if they were bred equally 
 good, and with size in addition, they must be of more 
 value. 
 
 " I have seen them quite up to ten pounds, but seldom 
 one of more than eight pounds that was fit to win, so that 
 I should say about eight pounds as the standard weight, 
 allowing fifteen points for it. 
 
 " If this be attained, while I would insist upon neatness, 
 fineness of bone, etc., as indispensable for a winner, it 
 would go a very long way in placing a rabbit at any 
 show. 
 
 4 'In shape they should be rather long, short on the legs, 
 fine in bone ; ears short, neat and pointing forwards, per- 
 fectly straight, and rather broad and open towards the 
 top, and showing the pinkness of the flesh through the 
 fur. 
 
 " Head of moderate size, and rather inclined to be 
 small than large ; neck deep and hind quarters rather 
 high. 
 
 " The eyes should be very large, bright, of a beautiful 
 pale pink, and prominent. The eye and the purity of 
 colour are leading features. 
 
 ' ' The disqualifications are, cloudiness of coat, spots on 
 coat, eyes other than pink, crooked legs, and lop or half 
 lop ears. 
 
THE POLISH RABBIT 
 
 6 7 
 
 " STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE 
 "Points of the Exhibition Polish Rabbit 
 
 Colour, white . . . . . .10 Points 
 
 Coat, whiteness . . . . . .10,, 
 
 Coat, fineness . . . . . j ,, 
 
 Coat, closeness . . . . . 5 
 
 Size, when eight pounds . . . -15 
 
 Head, moderate . . . . . 5 
 
 Ears, small, neat and open to front . .10 ,, 
 
 Eyes, large, bright, and pale pink . .10 
 Eyes, prominence 5 
 
 Legs and feet, small and neat . . .10,, 
 
 Carriage and general appearance . . 5 
 
 Condition and cleanliness 10 
 
 "Total i oo Points" 
 
CHAPTER IX 
 
 THE SIBERIAN RABBIT 
 
 I SHOULD not call this at all a common variety, although 
 specimens have been seen for a good many years, but it 
 has never " caught on " in this country as it has on the 
 Continent, 'especially in France, where it has many 
 admirers, amongst the lovers of rabbits there. 
 
 It certainly has a striking and rather distinguished 
 appearance about it, and with quite a foreign look, which 
 is in its favour with some people. 
 
 Some authorities doubt whether Siberia was really its 
 place of origin, but it has always been a prime favourite 
 with the fanciers of the Continent of Europe generally, 
 and it is quite possible it has been correctly named. 
 
 Wherever it came from, in all probability it was pro- 
 duced by a cross between a Himalayan and an Angora, 
 most likely a buck of the former mated with a doe of 
 the latter variety. 
 
 It is one of what I should call the essentially pet 
 rabbits, being handsome and showy, docile and good- 
 tempered, rather lethargic and comfortable-looking in 
 habit, and as a rule not averse to being carried, fondled 
 and groomed by its owners. These characteristics make it 
 suitable for those who desire to have a pretty pet animal to 
 feed and care for, but have no desire to exhibit it. 
 
 I do not remember to have seen classes for them at any 
 
 68 
 
THE SIBERIAN RABBIT 69 
 
 of the shows, all I have met with have been either in the 
 possession of non-exhibitors, or if at the shows entered either 
 in the Any Other Variety, Gift, or Selling Classes, in none 
 of which they stand much chance of obtaining distinction. 
 
 The nearer they combine the best characteristics of 
 the two varieties, which seem to be fused into one, the 
 more perfect the specimen is considered. 
 
 Contrary to what has been found with some cross 
 breeds, they are found to breed very true to colour and 
 type ; but they are longer in maturing their coats in point 
 of length and texture than is the case with Angoras ; of 
 course this is subject to variation in individual cases. 
 
 As in the case of all long-haired varieties, frequent 
 attention with brushing and combing is necessary to keep 
 the hair in form and to avoid knots or matting, and their 
 hutches for the same reason must be kept scrupulously 
 clean and as dry as possible. 
 
 Straw is best for bedding, as the ends of hay are apt 
 to get into the coats and give an unsightly appearance, 
 besides giving endless trouble to remove. 
 
 They are sufficiently hardy to do fairly well in outside 
 hutches, if protected in wet, cold or stormy weather, but 
 the quality and quantity of the coat is likely to be better 
 in those kept in a house or shed, especially in the 
 colder parts of the year. 
 
 This variety does not run to great weight, eight 
 pounds may be looked upon as the limit, and many more 
 will be found of four, five and six pounds. As a general 
 rule, those nearest perfection in their points are between 
 five and six pounds in weight. 
 
70 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 Of course, there is no reason why surplus stock should 
 not be used for table purposes, but, like the Angoras, I 
 think they are very seldom bred, at least in this country, 
 with that object in view, but almost entirely as pets, and 
 generally by ladies and young people. 
 
 If kept with the idea of occasionally exhibiting, it 
 would be better to keep some does for that purpose only, 
 as those used for breeding pluck their coats so much to 
 provide warm nests for the young, that they take a long 
 time to recover their good looks. 
 
 This does not apply to the bucks, which if frequently 
 groomed, will keep in form, except during the moulting 
 season. They are credited with possessing mild and docile 
 dispositions, and are said to be seldom, if ever, known to 
 show hostile or cannibalistic tendencies towards their young. 
 
 The does are fairly prolific, and if permitted, will rear 
 two or three litters in the year, generally producing from 
 six to nine at a birth ; but 1 think two litters are better 
 than three, and give better chances to mother and offspring. 
 
 In order to obtain specimens as near perfection as 
 possible, some attention must be given to mating, trying 
 to counterbalance the faults in the doe by the good 
 qualities of the buck, or the reverse. 
 
 Coat and colour are the main points to be aimed at, 
 getting as much of the former as you can in reason, of a pure 
 white and silky texture, and the markings on the nose, ears, 
 feet and tail as dark as possible, if not actually black ; so 
 that in one variety are combined the difficulties experienced 
 by the breeders and fanciers of Angoras and Himalayans. 
 
 The ears should be small, and carried upright, having 
 
THE SIBERIAN RABBIT 71 
 
 soft fine hair on the outer sides, but not insides. The eyes 
 are large and full, with little colour in them, but such as they 
 have giving the impression of a pale pink, not so red as 
 in the Himalayan, nor so decided a tint as in the Angora. 
 
 The hair on head should be plentiful, especially on the 
 upper part, also round the neck and on chest, back and 
 sides, which add to its picturesque and quaint appearance. 
 
 The legs should be moderately long and thick, and 
 the body somewhat chumpy in shape, but, like all animals 
 with heavy coats, they look much heavier than they really 
 are, as very heavy Siberians are seldom met with, as far as 
 my experience goes. 
 
 The following will give an idea of the relative value 
 of the several points : 
 
 STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR JUDGING 
 SIBERIAN RABBITS 
 
 Head ..... 
 
 Ears, size and shape .... 
 
 Eyes, shape, size and colour 
 Uniformity of markings on extremities 
 Legs and feet, length and size. 
 Quality of wool ..... 
 
 Length of wool ..... 
 
 Condition ...... 
 
 Size, not exceeding eight pounds . 
 
 S 
 5 
 5 
 
 20 
 
 15 
 
 15 
 10 
 
 IO 
 
 Points 
 
 Total 100 Points 
 
 
CHAPTER X 
 
 THE FLEMISH GIANT RABBIT 
 
 THIS variety is correctly named in both respects, as I 
 think it is generally admitted to have been first produced 
 in Flanders, and to be still largely bred in Belgium and 
 the northern districts of France ; and it is generally the 
 largest and heaviest of all the Rabbit family. 
 
 Probably as a food producer it has no equal, as not 
 only is the flesh of excellent flavour, but they put on flesh 
 very rapidly, so that breeders who keep up their feeding 
 operations with vigour are often able to kill youngsters of 
 three months old, up to six pounds in weight, which must 
 be "good business," as our commercial friends say. 
 
 While size is very important with the Flemish, colour, 
 which is always harder to obtain, should not be lost sight 
 of. Iron grey should be the predominant shade every- 
 where, except on the belly and under parts, which should 
 be white. It is desirable to avoid any with sandy colour 
 upon them, which are thought to show a Belgian Hare 
 cross at some time or other. 
 
 As they mature, tickings appear in coat, on back and 
 sides, which are admired, and have a good effect. 
 
 In many varieties dewlaps are drawbacks, and have to 
 
 72 
 
.,-:,..: 
 
 
 TYPICAL SIBERIAN RABBIT. 
 
 FLEMISH GIANT " CH. LADY BEATRICE." 
 Owner, A. Merry, jun. 
 
 Tojacepage 72. 
 
THE FLEMISH GIANT RABBIT 73 
 
 be guarded against in purchasing or breeding, but in this 
 they are desirable, more especially in the does ; but they 
 should be full and uniform in shape, forming a cushion for 
 the chin to rest on, and give a complacent, comfortable 
 appearance to the animals when at rest. 
 
 The head should be large and roomy, rather than 
 wedge-like in shape. 
 
 The ears six to seven inches long, fairly thick, and 
 carried erect. 
 
 The body large and long, very wide and massive 
 across the hind quarters, which should be very capacious. 
 
 Legs and feet should have attention, as it is important 
 they should be straight as well as strong, and too much 
 forcing of young stock has a tendency to throw out 
 the fore legs particularly, which is much against any 
 intended for exhibition. 
 
 Any white on face, nose, ears or feet is most objec- 
 tionable from a fancier's point of view, but of course none 
 of these objections will apply to those selected for table 
 use. 
 
 The eyes should be large, bright in expression and 
 round in shape. 
 
 The does are very prolific, and not seldom have litters 
 of seven and nine. It is well, if the object is to breed 
 specimens for show, not to leave more than three or four 
 on the does, putting the others in the care of a foster 
 mother, of course keeping with the doe those most pro- 
 mising in shape and evenness of colour. 
 
 At all times, whether young or old, it is best not to 
 lift specimens by the ears, they are often spoiled in shape 
 
74 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 or carriage by doing so ; one hand should be placed under 
 the hind quarters, and the skin of the back grasped firmly 
 with the other. Indeed, this applies to most kinds of 
 rabbits, but more to those exceeding five pounds in 
 weight. 
 
 It is not unusual to see Flemish Giants of twelve and 
 fourteen pounds, and we hear of specimens much heavier, 
 but they are not very often seen at the shows. 
 
 Though I have no doubt that gelded bucks fed with 
 judgment, and coming of a large strain, might be brought up 
 a pound or two heavier, for all practical purposes, ten or 
 twelve pounds is a good useful weight either for show, if 
 good enough in its points, or for the table if that is the 
 breeder's object. 
 
 Being such large animals, naturally they require 
 roomy hutches. For brood does, these are recommended 
 to be about five to six feet long, with one end parted 
 off for the litter by a three or four inch high board 
 stretching across the hutch, merely to avoid the nest being 
 disturbed, or the young ones crawling, or falling out ; if 
 the height of the hutch is from fifteen to eighteen inches, 
 it will be all the better, and avoid the tops of the ears 
 being injured, as the doe moves to and fro. 
 
 Bucks' hutches should be provided with plenty of 
 room, but they need not be as long as for does, although 
 in other respects they should be as large. 
 
 Large frames require ample nourishment, and to 
 obtain and preserve weight they must be fed with no 
 niggard scale of diet. 
 
 Some of the most successful breeders make a practice 
 
THE FLEMISH GIANT RABBIT 75 
 
 of giving three meals a day, making good sweet hay one 
 of the standpoints ; ground corn mixed, with the leaf 
 of clover hay and a little pollard made into a crumbling 
 mash, and given with the chill off for the first meal ; 
 another about mid-day consisting of roots, or other 
 green stuff, the former in winter when the latter are not 
 easily procured ; and at night as many oats as they will 
 eat, not play with, also a few grey peas previously soaked 
 and strained, and a little green stuff with another handful 
 of hay. 
 
 Some give bread and milk squeezed fairly dry to 
 youngsters, once a day before they are weaned and until 
 they are six or seven weeks old, and a few crushed oats, 
 also with satisfactory results. 
 
 I am not an advocate for the rabbit and cattle foods, 
 and boiled linseed, which are largely used by some fanciers, 
 nor even for linseed cake, although I do not doubt they 
 are all fattening agents. Generally these foods are used 
 on those specimens reserved for the table, but for my 
 own eating I would infinitely prefer an animal fattened on 
 what we consider its natural food, than to partake of a 
 monster animal which had been forced upon what is really 
 artificial feeding, and I am tolerably certain the flesh of the 
 former would .taste better than the latter. 
 
 At least, that is my experience with other kinds of 
 live stock, independent of rabbits altogether. The 
 following suggestions of the value of the several 
 points, in specimens for exhibition, may be a guide 
 to some of my readers desirous of taking up this 
 variety : 
 
y6 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE IN JUDGING THE 
 FLEMISH GIANT RABBIT 
 
 Head, roundness and chubbiness . . . 5 Points 
 
 Ears, upright and straight . . . 5 ,, 
 
 Legs, straight and unmarked . . 15 
 
 Eyes, round, full and bright . . 5 ,, 
 
 Body, massive and capacious . . 1 5 
 
 Colour, evenness and freedom from red shades 25 
 
 Condition ....... 5 
 
 Size, and weight, exceeding ten pounds . 25 ,, 
 
 Total 100 Points 
 
FLEMISH GIANT" VICTORIA.' 
 Owner, S. R. Turk. 
 
 HIMALAYAN. 
 Challenge Cup Crystal Palace, etc. Owner, F. Avard. 
 
 To face page 77. 
 
CHAPTER XI 
 
 THE HIMALAYAN RABBIT 
 
 SOME writers on this variety express a doubt whether it 
 is really entitled to the name it bears, but I think it is 
 not material, as there seems a general agreement that, even 
 up to the present time, these animals are found in parts of 
 Russia, China and Northern India, and have borne the 
 name of Himayalan for a great number of years, though 
 they have sometimes been called Chinese, Egyptian 
 Smuts, and even Antwerp Rabbits ; but I have never 
 heard any reason for the last named as a place of 
 origin. 
 
 Suffice it to say, they are now a distinct variety here, 
 and looked upon as decidedly hardy in constitution, and 
 breed very true to type, perhaps as much as any, and 
 more than most, others. They are not large animals, 
 more being under six pounds in weight, when matured, 
 than over that figure. Nearly always, at least with us, 
 they are kept for show, more than for table purposes. 
 The coat is white all over, except at the extremities, the 
 nose, ears, feet and tail being as dark as they can be 
 obtained, the nearer black is approached in this respect 
 
 77 
 
78 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 the better, and the tint of them all should be nearly the 
 same. This is where breeders find the difficulty, as 
 while the nose, ears, tail, and sometimes the fore feet, 
 may be all right, a specimen will fail in the colour of its 
 hind feet. 
 
 Some breeders suggest a double flooring to the 
 hutches, so as to keep them as dry as possible, and I 
 think the idea is good, and likely to have the desired 
 effect. 
 
 I have found that by using plenty of pine sawdust, 
 keeping great cleanliness in the hutches, and giving straw 
 for bedding, the colour is tolerably well preserved. I have 
 won many prizes with stock, which I obtained of Mr 
 Champion Carter of Weston-super-Mare, who used to be 
 a very successful breeder of Himalayans kept in this way. 
 
 There has been a good deal of controversy for and 
 against keeping them in dark hutches, to preserve the 
 dark colour. I do not advocate their being in a sunny 
 situation, but advise their hutches having their backs 
 towards the light in the Rabbitry, and this not only as 
 being of advantage to their extremities, but also on 
 account of their eyes, which, being rather full and more 
 red in colour than any other variety, are sure to be 
 sensitive to strong light. 
 
 The does make good and affectionate mothers, but 
 should not be allowed to breed early, say seven or eight 
 months old at least, and not have more than two litters 
 in the year. 
 
 The bucks will be all the better if not used at the 
 stud until nine months old, and intruding should at all 
 
THE HIMALAYAN RABBIT 79 
 
 times be avoided, or the offspring will suffer, both in 
 constitution and colouring. 
 
 In disposition they are usually quiet, docile and 
 easily tamed, if kindly treated ; the does are best left 
 alone as much as possible when suckling a litter, as at 
 such times they are very jealous of any interference. 
 Litters may be found to vary from five to eight in 
 number ; it is not wise to permit a doe to rear more than 
 four or five at the utmost. They soon come in season 
 again, but, as I have said, two litters a year are better 
 than more. 
 
 Until the young, which should be left with the doe 
 for seven or eight weeks, are three months old, it is 
 difficult to decide with any certainty which will be the 
 most valuable to keep, and at four and five months some 
 may be good enough to show in young classes, but, as a 
 rule, they take longer to make up. 
 
 Unless they show signs of being quarrelsome, the 
 does may run together for some months, but the bucks 
 should be taken away before reaching six months, and 
 then not put in hutches containing more than one 
 specimen. They are better kept in a house, or shed, than 
 in outside hutches, but do not require artificial heat ; 
 indeed, I have found them better without it, so long as 
 they do not suffer from actual cold, draughts or wet. 
 I think, perhaps, I have said enough in a general way of 
 this variety, and think I cannot do better than quote the 
 opinion of Enoch Hutton, F.Z.S., about Himalayans, as 
 he has had a much longer experience of them than myself. 
 
 " This is one of the most popular and interesting of 
 
8o RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 our Fancy Varieties of Rabbit, and finding a home, at 
 some time or other, in nearly all Rabbitries ; it is at 
 once pleasing to the connoisseur and striking to the 
 novice. 
 
 " No variety is more prolific, few are as hardy, and 
 none breed more true to colour and marking, and so true 
 to this point are they, that I have no hesitation in saying, 
 that of all the animals and birds I have cultivated, these 
 take the first position in that respect. In colour they 
 are pure white, except the ears, nose, feet and tail, which 
 are a dark brown, and, contrasted with the white, this 
 appears to be black in a good specimen. 
 
 " In size they vary from three to seven pounds, when 
 full grown, but I have never seen a good one over six 
 pounds, and very few of that size, while I have seen 
 numbers of winners of the smaller size ; in fact, I have no 
 doubt but that quality of colour and marking, with fine- 
 ness of coat, usually go with the medium and smaller 
 specimens, and I certainly lean to the smaller sizes for 
 the show pen, while I look upon a full-grown buck, in 
 nice condition, as being of a good average size when at 
 five pounds' weight. 
 
 " Extraordinary size is only obtainable by crossing with 
 other varieties, at the cost of colour, which when once lost 
 can scarcely ever be regained. 
 
 " When they first leave the nest, they appear to be quite 
 white, but on close inspection the points above referred 
 to will be found to be of a leaden hue, and these change 
 gradually up to about four or five months, when the 
 animal may be considered to have assumed its adult dress. 
 
THE HIMALAYAN RABBIT 81 
 
 " In shape, they should be compact, and snug looking 
 when at repose, showing a graceful appearance of elonga- 
 tion when in action. 
 
 " I prefer them without dewlap but I would not 
 deduct more than two points on that account. 
 
 " Many kinds of nostrums are prescribed for the 
 attainment and preservation of colour on the points, but 
 I have little belief in or sympathy with any of them, 
 being quite sure from experience that a recourse to 
 natural means, with a view to their general health, will 
 attain the desired object, besides saving a great amount 
 of trouble and expense. 
 
 " Light should not be excluded from the feeding hutch, 
 but on the sun's side the glass should be frosted to 
 protect them from the rays of the mid-day sun, which are 
 always detrimental to colour. 
 
 <c I have always found that by providing a movable 
 hutch for feeding in, with open back, placing it against 
 a sandbank or hill of dry earth or shingle, allowing them 
 to burrow for themselves, and removing all loose rubbish 
 as it accumulated, they kept their colour much better 
 than by any other means. 
 
 " But if such bank be not available, it is very easy to 
 provide one by piling a quantity of roots (of trees) and 
 gnarled branches in a corner of a room or shed, filling the 
 interstices with soil and sand, or by filling a large sugar- 
 tub in the same manner, providing holes at the bottom 
 for their admission. 
 
 " With such provision the rabbits will spend most of 
 their time in the burrows, only coming out at the regular 
 
82 
 
 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 meal times, and the coat and colour will be preserved fit 
 for exhibition much longer than by any other means. 
 
 "When so treated, cleanliness in the hutch, and a 
 moderate use of green food, avoiding cabbage of every 
 variety, will keep them free from skin diseases, the only 
 drawback of the breed being attacks of this character. 
 
 "STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR JUDGING THE 
 HIMALAYAN RABBIT 
 
 Size, about five pounds .... 
 Shape, style and general sprightliness . 
 Head, moderate size and neat 
 Eyes, large, bright, and a beautiful pink 
 Ears, small, rather pointed, quite erect, 
 
 pointing slightly forwards . 
 Coat, short, fine and very close . 
 Colour, markings of nose .... 
 Colour, , , of ears .... 
 Colour, ,, of fore feet 
 Colour, of hind feet when equal to 
 
 fore feet in colour .... 
 Colour, markings of tail .... 
 General condition, health and cleanliness 
 
 " Total 100 Points 
 
 " Deductions should be made for large ears, paleness 
 of colour on points, cloudiness of coat, dewlap, etc. 
 
 " And the disqualifications are, lop, or half lop, ears, 
 crooked legs, and blotches of white onnose,ears, feet, or tail." 
 
 5 J 
 
 Joints 
 
 5 
 
 55 
 
 5 
 
 5} 
 
 5 
 
 J ) 
 
 5 
 
 55 
 
 10 
 
 55 
 
 10 
 
 55 
 
 10 
 
 5) 
 
 IO 
 
 55 
 
 15 
 
 55 
 
 IO 
 
 55 
 
 IO 
 
 55 
 
HIMALAYAN " LARRY CARTER." 
 Winner of many Prizes, etc. Owner, C. H. Lane. 
 
 DUTCH, BLACK " CH. BONUS;" 
 Noted Prize Winner. Owner, J. Malley. 
 
 To face page 83. 
 
CHAPTER XII 
 
 THE DUTCH RABBIT 
 
 ALTHOUGH of late years the Belgian Hare and the 
 English varities have been more " boomed," the Dutch 
 have always maintained considerable popularity, and, I 
 think, deservedly. 
 
 Not only are they very pretty animals, and can be pro- 
 cured of many different colours, each with their supporters, 
 but they are perhaps unequalled as mothers and nurses, 
 being largely used in the latter capacity even by fanciers 
 who keep none of the variety for exhibition. 
 
 Then they are one of the smallest of all kinds, and 
 do not take up much room, and very docile and pleasant 
 to deal with, it certainly being the exception to meet with 
 bad-tempered specimens ; but I have known one or two, 
 who were very warm members indeed, and would " go for " 
 the first hand which approached them in the show pen. 
 
 And last, but by no means least, I do not remember 
 any variety which so soon discloses the apparent value of 
 the youngsters in a litter, as a fair judgment on this 
 subject may be formed within three days of their birth, 
 and the " wasters " removed, to the relief of the mother 
 (and subsequently of the corn and hay bill) ; and at eight 
 
 83 
 
84 RABBITS, CATS, AND C A VIES 
 
 or nine weeks old it is by no means an uncommon 
 occurrence for well-marked youngsters to commence a 
 a successful show career ; and downright good youngsters 
 will fetch very remunerative prices at an age, when most 
 other varities are not out of the nursery. 
 
 All these reasons combined tend to keep up the 
 fame of the variety, and perhaps, especially amongst 
 beginners, Dutch are as much kept in this country 
 as any other of the fancy varieties. 
 
 For, be it observed, they are essentially fancy rabbits ; 
 as a rule, the adults do not scale over five or six 
 pounds, frequently less, so that they are seldom 
 bred for table use, though, no doubt, some which 
 are mismarked at birth, or develop defects after- 
 wards, or run too big for the show pens, are killed 
 for the table, and I have known it asserted that 
 they are uncommonly good eating too. 
 
 Of course, the colour is much a matter of taste ; 
 I like any of the colours, if the specimens are correctly 
 marked. I may lean a little to black, which shows 
 up well, if deep and pure, against the white ; although 
 I know many fanciers rank yellow as next in value 
 to black, I do not like it as well, as so many yellows 
 fail in colour of undercut, though a really good specimen 
 is very taking ; but I may mention, in passing, that 
 the young of this colour are longer in showing 
 their shades, and young fanciers desirous of bringing 
 out a topping yellow should not get rid of those 
 apparently almost plain white until nearly a week 
 old, when some idea of their merits may be gained. 
 
THE DUTCH RABBIT 85 
 
 I am not averse to a deep slate blue, of which 
 I have owned and seen many beautiful specimens 
 at different times, and it is not wise to mate two 
 of this colour together, but better results are obtained 
 when one of the parents, I prefer the buck for choice, 
 is a black. 
 
 When I can get a steel grey, pretty even in colour, 
 without any shadings to speak of, I like it very much ; 
 it may be my fancy, but I have the idea these are 
 apt to run rather heavier than the other colours, and 
 look rather cobbier in shape. 
 
 I think the tortoiseshells are the least common of all 
 the colours, and are often the result of mating a black 
 buck with a yellow doe, but it is found that if there are 
 also yellow in the litter, they will be of richer and deeper 
 colours than if the parents had been two yellows. 
 
 In the same way the blacks in a litter, resulting from 
 the union of a blue buck with a black doe, will be found 
 to be a better and deeper hue, than from two black 
 parents, and not so often with the white hairs in the 
 black, which are such a trouble to get rid of. 
 
 I suppose there have been more disqualifications of 
 Dutch for trimming, etc., than all the other varieties 
 together, and as the markings and the size and shape 
 are the main points in them, a very thin line often 
 separates the first four in a good class. 
 
 The appended illustrations of high-class specimens 
 taken from life, will convey more idea of what Dutch 
 should be like than any amount of writing by me, 
 so that I will merely give a brief description of the 
 
86 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 points to be aimed at, and a standard for judging 
 the variety, suggested by a successful breeder and 
 exhibitor of the variety. 
 
 I may just say, that the body colour, whatever it is, 
 whether black, blue, yellow, grey or tortoiseshell , 
 should be as pure and decided as possible, not faded, 
 or washy-looking, as in that case it ill contrasts with 
 the white, which should also be as snowy as possible. 
 
 Although it is sometimes done, probably with a view 
 to keeping down size, I am not an advocate for using 
 either sex at the stud until six months old or more, 
 as it stands to reason the progeny will be of better 
 constitution, if the parents, at least, approach 
 maturity. 
 
 The does frequently have litters of seven and 
 eight, and even more, but it is wise to remove all 
 but the best four or five, at utmost, or the game 
 little mother may suffer from the strain put upon her 
 
 The head is larger than it looks, from its peculiar 
 markings, with small erect ears ; eyes full, and rather 
 prominent, matching in colour ; both the ears and 
 eyes come into the colour of the cheek marks, oval in 
 shape, which come nearly to the edge of the lower jaw 
 each side, divided up the face by the blaze, which should 
 be as even as possible, narrowing towards the top 
 and run into the white at the back of the neck, which 
 should be clear of body colour ; the collar, between the 
 cheek markings and back markings (technically called 
 the saddle), as well as the whole of the chest, face, fore 
 feet and blaze, should be pure white. 
 

 DUTCH, TORTOISE " CH. SENSATION." 
 Owners, Messrs Mason and South. 
 
 DUTCH, BLUE " LITTLE BOY BLUE." 
 Winner numerous Prizes. Owner, C. H. Lane. 
 
 To face page 87. 
 
THE DUTCH RABBIT 87 
 
 The rest of the body, under as well as over, except the 
 hind feet which should have stops, or tips, of white, not 
 exceeding two inches, and better a little less, in depth 
 and the two feet evenly marked, should be as even 
 and decided in colour as can be ; and where many 
 specimens fail is, in the under part of the body, 
 known as the undercut, being too pale and washy in 
 colour. 
 
 I should have said that Dutch are looked upon as 
 hardy compared with almost any of the fancy varieties, 
 and are usually good feeders, requiring no special arrange- 
 ments for their feeding, and being small, will be happy 
 in hutches of the ordinary size, and even those outside, 
 if well protected ; but I am not in favour of these for any 
 kind of rabbit, if they can be avoided. 
 
 STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR JUDGING THE SHOW 
 DUTCH RABBIT 
 
 Head r v'' v [4fe W -V v' , 5 Points 
 
 Ears (small and very neat) , : '-. , -... l . 5 
 
 Eyes (matching in shade) . ;; V V . 5 ,, 
 
 Blaze, evenness, shape and extent . v . 25 ,, 
 
 Collar, or undercut y . ; : . < .- 20 ,, 
 
 Hind feet, length and evenness of stops ,.!,'. 15 
 
 Colour, density and purity . :. - :>. .,"-10 ,, 
 
 Condition . .;.; : * ;; ;?-.?q . ; ',."' 5 ,, 
 
 Size, not exceeding six pounds ',. : , ~. 10 
 
 Total 100 Points 
 
CHAPTER XIII 
 
 THE ANGORA RABBIT 
 
 I HAVE a strong idea that if such a thing were possible 
 as to take a poll of the visitors, not fanciers, who attend 
 our exhibitions in the year, it would be found that a large 
 majority of them are in favour of Angoras, before any 
 other variety of Rabbit, and they certainly obtain the 
 most admiration from the non-exhibiting public. 
 
 I have always had a sneaking kindness for them, and 
 during the whole of my exhibiting career have, I think, 
 kept a few specimens. 
 
 I daresay some of my readers have heard the old saying 
 of an Angora fancier, a That a good specimen could hardly 
 be groomed too much, and that a bad one never wanted 
 it." There is a good deal of truth in it, as the soft and 
 almost downy character of the hair, or wool, of a high- 
 class specimen is just the sort that will knot, mat, and 
 gather all kinds of unconsidered trifles into it unless well 
 looked after, and knowing this, when I have a class of 
 the variety before me, or meet some of them in Any Other 
 Variety, Gift or Selling Classes, I take particular care they 
 shall receive their utmost notice if up to the mark, as 
 I know, from my own experience, they must have given 
 
 88 
 
THE ANGORA RABBIT 89 
 
 their owner a little more trouble than probably any other 
 variety, to put them down in form, and also because, as 
 I said in my preliminary sketch of the different varieties 
 to be treated, I am glad to see there are still some 
 keen fanciers of this beautiful variety. Occasionally, we 
 see them shown of grey, fawn, slate, black, and mixed 
 colours, but for my own part I greatly prefer them pure 
 white, and none of the others, to my mind, come near 
 them as typical representatives, nor is the coat of any 
 other colour than white of quite such high quality at 
 least, that is my idea. 
 
 I think there is no doubt this was originally an im- 
 ported variety, and although they have always been, and 
 are now, favourites in many of the countries on the 
 Continent of Europe, that they came, if not, as many 
 suppose, from Persia, from some Eastern country. 
 
 There is a peculiar expression about an Angora, 
 which you do not see in any other rabbit. The head should 
 be of moderate size, well covered about the upper part, 
 forehead, and between the ears, with soft feathery hair or 
 wool, often long enough to hang down over the eyes, 
 which are a light shade of pink in the white specimens, 
 but much darker in shade in those not white, or pale 
 fawn, in coat. 
 
 The ears should be short, rather than large, carried 
 erect, without any tendency to lop or droop, clean inside 
 but feathered outside, not thick or coarse, but semi- 
 transparent, showing a pinky colour against the light. 
 
 The fur, or wool, can hardly be too abundant, all 
 over the body and chest, and should be as fine and 
 
90 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 feathery as possible, free from any knots, matting or 
 discolouration. 
 
 The legs and feet are fine rather than muscular, and 
 long rather than stumpy. 
 
 The shape of the body is moderately long and nicely 
 arched over the rump towards the tail, which seems 
 almost hidden by the fur or wool. 
 
 The mouth is small for the size of the animal, and 
 the chin somewhat receding in character. 
 
 Like all animals with heavy coats, they are very 
 deceptive in weight ; it will very seldom be found that 
 a high-class specimen, as regards its coat, shape and type, 
 will exceed eight pounds, perhaps from six to seven 
 pounds is more often their weight. Those larger than 
 this are usually the result of some cross breeding to 
 obtain size, often with the sacrifice of quality in the 
 coats. 
 
 It is by no means a delicate variety, although I should 
 not advise intending exhibitors to keep them in outside 
 hutches, unless well protected from wet and cold, but 
 I consider them fairly hardy in constitution, and not 
 requiring artificial heat in a general way. 
 
 Combing the coats, and brushing them once or twice 
 a week at least, with a brush with long and softish bristles, 
 should be made a practice of, and the trouble will be 
 repaid by the condition of the animals. 
 
 I have found them gentle and docile, and they soon 
 get used to the toilet preparations, and make no objection 
 to them if kindly and carefully performed. 
 
 The does are fairly prolific, and their litters average 
 

 ANGORA "CH. QUALITY." 
 Owner, E. J. Sands. 
 
 
 To face page 90. 
 
 ANGORA " CH. ELEGANCE." 
 Owner, Miss W. Kimmins. 
 
THE ANGORA RABBIT 91 
 
 about six or seven in number, though cases are met with 
 occasionally of nine or ten. 
 
 I do not think it wise to mate the does until at least 
 nine or ten months old, and prefer not to use the bucks 
 at the stud until nearly a year old. 
 
 The does generally are very attentive, affectionate 
 mothers, but rather jealous of any interference with the 
 litters, which should be handled or disturbed as little as 
 possible in the early days after their birth, except of 
 course to remove any dead, deformed, or sickly youngsters, 
 which are better got rid of at once. 
 
 The young may be left with their mother till eight or 
 nine weeks old, and although nothing special may be re- 
 quired in the way of feeding, of course she must be well 
 kept up on nourishing food while she is suckling. 
 
 The hutches must, at all times, be kept scrupulously 
 clean ; I prefer longish straw for bedding to any other 
 material, being less likely to get into the coats, although 
 hay may be given (preferred in a little rack, at the side 
 or corner of the outer part of the hutch) for feeding. 
 No one but those who have kept them can appreciate 
 the nuisance of getting sawdust, pe^t-fibre, or hay seeds 
 into the coats, or the trouble given to get rid of them, 
 and any of these are very prejudicial to their chances in 
 the show pens. 
 
 All exhibitors of the variety will, at some time or 
 another, have been annoyed at their pets being penned 
 beneath poultry, or pigeons, and finding the animals, on 
 which much care and time have been expended in prepar- 
 ing them for exhibition, quite spoiled in appearance by 
 
92 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 the chaff, seeds, etc., which have fallen upon them through 
 the cracks in the boards above. 
 
 I consider the committee of any show, providing 
 classes for Rabbits (Cats, or Cavies), should either arrange 
 to have no live stock placed over their pens (except cage 
 birds, which are usually harmless in that way), or else 
 have lengths of paper, or linen, under the upper boards. 
 
 I may perhaps add that sow thistles, dandelions, 
 plantains and chicory are all found good varieties of 
 green food for does when suckling, as being both milk- 
 producing and flesh-forming ; of course, in conjunction 
 with hay, oats, meal, and the usual run of Rabbit food. 
 
 I think I need not add more about this well-known 
 variety, and will give a suggested standard for judging 
 exhibition specimens : 
 
 STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR JUDGING ANGORA 
 
 RABBITS 
 
 Head, moderate size, well covered with hair 10 Points 
 
 Ears, not long or thick in substance . .10 
 
 Eyes, delicate pale pink in colour . 5 
 
 Legs and feet, moderate in length, firm in 
 
 bone . . . . . . 15 ,, 
 
 Quantity and quality of coat . . . 30 
 
 Size, not to exceed eight pounds . . 1 5 
 
 General appearance and condition . 15 ,, 
 
 Total 100 Points 
 
CHAPTER XIV 
 
 THE ENGLISH RABBIT 
 
 FROM the fact that when I was a schoolboy I used to ex- 
 pend some of my strictly-limited allowance, or, as I then 
 used to call it, weekly pay, in the purchase of rabbits of 
 this variety, I expect it was the commonest then in vogue 
 with the bird-shop keepers, and therefore considered by 
 the rising generation as the kind which rendered the best 
 value for their money. 
 
 As I said in my introductory remarks, it was origin- 
 ally called the " Spotted Butterfly," and as the character- 
 istic marks, or spots, have been continued ever since, and 
 a butterfly-shaped mark on the upper part of the nose is 
 still insisted on, there was no special reason for altering 
 its title, except that everything " English" has been in 
 fashion for some years past, and this is, I believe, really an 
 English breed, and so the name fitted well. 
 
 Probably, from my early associations, I have always 
 had a kindly feeling towards this variety, and am pleased 
 to see the rapid strides it has made in popular favour, and 
 there are so many apparently trifling matters which have 
 to combine in one specimen before it can step into the 
 
 93 
 
94 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 front rank, if the competition is fairly keen, that the real 
 <c flyers " are few and far between. 
 
 It is what I should call a sizeable, rather than a large 
 rabbit, not too long, or flat in the body and sides, with 
 shortish, erect, black ears, and feet and legs of medium 
 length ; the main part of the body colour is pure white, 
 with markings, which are almost invariably, at least I 
 do not remember seeing any others, either black, blue, 
 tortoiseshell or grey, but in my experience the blacks out- 
 number the others very considerably, and, I think, are the 
 prettiest animals ; but this of course is a matter of opinion. 
 
 Besides the butterfly spot on the nose, there are cheek 
 markings and a spot at the side of each eye, but not 
 touching the rim of the eye. 
 
 Then, there is a line of markings down the back, 
 called the trace ; and lines of spots from each side of the 
 neck, joining with the saddle marks on back and sides, 
 and called the chain ; then there are spots on the belly 
 (which is all white otherwise), which are generally insisted 
 on being seven in number. 
 
 All the white should be as pure as possible, and the 
 contrasting colour, whether black, blue, tortoiseshell or 
 grey, pure in itself and unmixed with white. 
 
 From the foregoing remarks it will be easy to see that 
 " Derby Winners '' cannot be bred in every litter of 
 English, as there are so many little matters in which they 
 may be found wanting. 
 
 One great fault with many specimens is that they are 
 too heavy in their markings, and often too big, coarse 
 and chumpy themselves. 
 
ENGLISH " CH. MATCHLESS." 
 Owners, Messrs Cunliffe and Son. 
 
 To face page 94. 
 
 ENGLISH " CH. MAJESTIC." 
 Owner, Albert Tottle. 
 
THE ENGLISH RABBIT 95 
 
 Another is, they have a butterfly spot wanting one 
 wing, or the body of the butterfly is too low down, or 
 too high up. 
 
 Another cause of failure is, in the face markings, the 
 spots at side of each eye being often found to run with 
 each other, and form a mass, instead of being distinct and 
 detached. 
 
 Others fail in the trace on back, either being wanting 
 in places, or absent altogether ; both faults. 
 
 Perhaps one of the most frequent faults is in the 
 chain, which should, as nearly as possible, correspond in 
 the markings each side of the neck and shoulders, but is 
 often found good on one side, and faint and pale on the 
 other, or often faulty on both sides ; others are wrong in 
 coat, by being too long and fine, when it should be short 
 and rather hard in texture. 
 
 Some are too heavily marked on the sides of the 
 thighs and rump, which give a blotchy look, and are much 
 disliked by most judges. 
 
 And lastly, some have either no belly spots at all, or 
 not the regulation number ; but, I think, few English 
 Rabbits would be thrown out on this account alone, if 
 fairly good in the several other desired points. 
 
 I consider them as a rule to be decidedly hardy and 
 of good constitution, or they would probably not have 
 survived to the present day, as I can answer for it, the 
 majority of young fanciers in my boyhood had none of the 
 luxurious Rabbitries we now see in all directions over the 
 country ; and the Spotted Butterflies were as a rule the 
 variety kept, and almost invariably in outside hutches ; 
 
96 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 but, I am bound to say that when I took up exhibiting 
 rabbits, my English, as well as all the others, were 
 always kept inside a house, or shed, and I am sure they 
 were all the better for it. 
 
 I have always found them good doers, not requiring 
 any special feeding, and lively and cheerful in their 
 temperament ; I have little doubt, although I have not 
 tried them since I was able to do so, that they would suit 
 for turning down, in a sheltered and protected place, to 
 be used for the table only, in which case I should allow 
 one buck with five or six does, of course, first hardening 
 them for a while in outside hutches, and making the 
 start the end of April, or beginning of May, and with 
 bucks of six or seven months and does of eight or nine 
 months old. 
 
 The does are fairly prolific, having litters of from 
 five to seven at a time, sometimes more, and are generally 
 kind and attentive mothers, but I think it wise not to 
 allow them to have more than two litters a year, even if 
 they are not shown ; and does kept for show are better not 
 bred from while the exhibition strain and excitement is on. 
 With respect to weight, in my opinion eight pounds 
 should be the outside limit, and if I could have them 
 correct in their points I would prefer them from six to 
 seven pounds. Although originally kept for utility and 
 pets, this variety has now become a popular fancy article, 
 and is not wanted for quantity, but the concentration of 
 quality. At many shows I have seen and read of the 
 competition being as keen in the English as in any 
 variety of Rabbit exhibited. 
 
ENGLISH" LYRIC." 
 Winner of many Prizes, etc. Owner, C. H. Lane. 
 
 SILVER GREY, DARK "CH. MODEL." 
 Owner, T. A. Luck, St Leonards. 
 
 To face page 97. 
 
THE ENGLISH RABBIT 
 
 97 
 
 I may say that they are generally looked upon as 
 good Selling Class, Any Other Variety, and Gift Class 
 Rabbits, and anything like a decent specimen is pretty 
 sure to " get into the money," and very often win, when 
 entered in either of the above ; of course, I mean at shows 
 where they have not provided classes for the English. 
 
 As I am giving as illustrations to this sketch portraits 
 of some of the best specimens ever seen of the variety, 
 perhaps I have said enough of this old-fashioned 
 favourite for the purposes of these sketches, and will 
 append a scale for judging it : 
 
 STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR JUDGING ENGLISH 
 
 RABBITS 
 
 Head, not too coarse and thick . V V 
 Ears, erect and without white spots 
 
 Eyes, rather full and expressive . " * - J p 
 
 Nose markings, forming butterfly ''?,- "I v 
 
 Face markings, and spots by eyes ';* ; V 
 Body, shape, not too chumpy ; coat, short and 
 
 hard . . ,' ;V V v v . 
 
 Saddle and trace markings and belly spots v 
 
 Chain, distinctness and connectedness r : J . 
 
 Condition and general appearance . ";' 
 
 Size, not exceeding eight pounds . >3& ^ v 
 
 5 Points 
 10 
 
 5 
 10 
 
 10 
 
 10 , 
 
 1 5 
 
 V '' 20 
 ' "; '; 10 
 
 ^ ; ^ ; 5 
 Total 100 Points 
 
CHAPTER XV 
 
 THE SILVER GREY RABBIT 
 
 WE now come to a very interesting group in the Silvers, 
 of which I think the above named is the most popular, 
 and I believe my admiration for some I saw at a show 
 many years since, and which I think were sent by my 
 friend, Rev. D. G. Truss, who has long been known in 
 the fancy as a successful breeder, exhibitor and occasional 
 judge, was the means of bringing me back as an exhibitor. 
 
 I need not tell most of my readers that this variety is 
 produced in three shades light, medium, and dark and 
 it is entirely a matter of taste which is taken up. 
 
 For my own part, I greatly prefer the medium, but 
 can appreciate the qualities of the others. I should think 
 the light shade is the easiest to obtain, but to my mind they 
 never have the brightness and quality look of the others. 
 
 The greatest difficulty is to obtain perfect evenness 
 of shading "from stem to stern/' and a specimen 
 possessing this quality, well shaped, with small, neat, 
 erect ears, will not be far out of the first three in a 
 general way. 
 
 There is some difference of opinion amongst breeders 
 and judges about size, some saying they should be from 
 five to seven, others from eight to twelve, pounds in 
 
THE SILVER GREY RABBIT 99 
 
 weight. My own preference is for something between the 
 two limits, say not exceeding nine or ten pounds, and I 
 have handled a good many of the variety, both as owner 
 and judge, and believe the best I have ever seen were 
 under ten pounds. 
 
 I have the impression the largest specimens I have 
 met with have been amongst the light shades, and the 
 smallest amongst the dark, but this may be only my fancy. 
 
 I consider, neatness of shape is very important in this 
 variety, and greatly adds to its attractive appearance. 
 
 Shortness of coat should also be insisted on, otherwise 
 it loses in sharpness and brightness of colouring, and, of 
 course, evenness is all-important, so that those in any 
 stage of moulting should be kept at home until that 
 operation is completed, as they will have little chance in 
 competition with others. 
 
 Small, rather fine, well carried ears, rather full bold 
 eyes of dark colour, and alert, intelligent expression are 
 valuable points to secure, and add much to the taking 
 character of the specimen. 
 
 When first this variety came prominently forward into 
 the exhibition world, they used to be shown together 
 simply as Silver Greys, all shades in one class ; indeed, I 
 have sometimes seen classes simply for " Silvers," when 
 Greys, Creams and Browns had to compete together. 
 
 It was then almost as bad as a Variety Class, and it 
 depended much on the individual taste of the judge which 
 variety he went for. 
 
 But now, when there are a sufficient number of keen 
 and skilful fanciers devoting their attention to each, there 
 
ioo RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 are usually, at the larger shows, classes provided for the 
 several sections. 
 
 It is my opinion, but I am by no means certain on the 
 point, that more Silver Greys are kept at the present time 
 than either Creams or Browns, and that of the Greys the 
 medium shade is the most popular ; but this is only my 
 own view, and perhaps partly caused from having more 
 of the latter come before me of late years. 
 
 The variety is not claimed amongst our home pro- 
 ductions, and such a distant clime as Siam is generally 
 looked upon as its place of origin, but ever since its 
 introduction it has enjoyed considerable popularity in 
 this country and the Continent of Europe, although we 
 do not find any reference to it in any works upon 
 Rabbits until within the last forty years. 
 
 I believe it is generally admitted not only to be 
 useful for table purposes, but that there is a well-assured 
 market for its skins, when they are produced in quantities 
 to suit the furriers, and, although I have not personal 
 experience of their being turned out to live in a semi-wild 
 state, have been informed that this has been done, to a 
 large extent, both in this country and the Continent, and 
 with marked success. 
 
 My experience of Silver Greys is, that they are very 
 hardy in constitution, better kept in roomy hutches in 
 houses or sheds, but without artificial heat, and require 
 nothing special in the way of food. 
 
 The does usually have from five to eight or nine, 
 but I consider the former number quite enough to leave 
 on the doe, however many are born, and put the others 
 
THE SILVER GREY RABBIT, i , 
 
 under a foster mother if sufficiently promising to keep 
 them all. 
 
 They are rather shy at littering time, and are best 
 left alone as much as possible, as they are very inclined to 
 resent interference with their young, although as a rule 
 careful, affectionate mothers. 
 
 It will be found better in the end not to breed from 
 the does until they are eleven or twelve months old, and 
 I should not advise putting the bucks at stud under ten 
 months, and if a little older it will be all the better. 
 
 It is not a very early maturing variety. When born 
 they are a dull slate colour, which soon changes to almost 
 black, and they are seldom fit to show under six to eight 
 months, when they begin to get into form ; but it is not 
 often any of them can be shown in Young Classes, unless 
 restricted to their own variety, as they would have no 
 chance against Lops, Dutch, or some others, of the same age. 
 
 My friend, Enoch Hutton, F.Z.S., who has had a life- 
 long experience as a fancier and judge, has written so 
 eulogistically of Silver Greys, in which I concur almost 
 entirely, except in the matter of the weight of the speci- 
 mens for show purposes, that I am tempted to give some 
 extracts from his views about them : 
 
 " My leaning towards this class of Rabbit, over all 
 others, will no doubt lay me open to criticism when I 
 may be charged with a weakness for them ; but whether 
 this may be looked upon as a weakness, or only a due 
 appreciation of its grand properties, I leave others to 
 determine, but I will content myself by saying, that were 
 one each of all the fancy breeds placed before me, in com- 
 
102 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 petitition for a Champion Prize, or Cup, all of which 
 were about perfect of their kinds, I should have no hesita- 
 tion whatever in deciding upon the Silver Grey as the 
 recipient of that honour. 
 
 " This will not be looked upon so pleasantly by the 
 breeders of other varieties, but I think I am justified in 
 the position I take, considering the difficulty in producing 
 a first-rate specimen, and its great value when produced, 
 either alive or dead, and by value I do not refer to its 
 exhibition worth alone, as that is of a varying and fleeting 
 character, but of the great value of the fur for trimming 
 and clothing purposes. 
 
 "There is no variety more hardy or that requires so 
 little attention, as they thrive under almost any circum- 
 stances ; but they are not so prolific as some others, for 
 instance the Dutch, the Polish, or the Himalayans, and 
 do not produce so many at a birth ; but this is so in all 
 the varieties of large rabbits, as the Lops, Belgian Hares 
 and Patagonians. In size they should be large, in fact I 
 would go so far as to say, the larger the better, for it is 
 very seldom that a really good specimen is seen of a 
 small size, and by judicious crossing and being careful, in 
 all cases, to secure crosses of blood as far removed as 
 possible from each other, great size is easily attained, and 
 if this point be strictly carried out, it is not needful that 
 both sides should be large ones, as it is often the case that 
 one large animal and one of a medium, or even small size, 
 if perfectly healthy, will produce the finest specimens. 
 
 " No one will dispute the fact that if the fur and flesh be 
 the objects sought after, the largest are the most valuable. 
 

 SILVER GREY, MEDIUM "CH. DARLING ETHEL." 
 Owners, Messrs Oddy and Son. 
 
 To face page 102. 
 
 SILVER GREY, LIGHT "LORD GREY." 
 Owner, C. H. Lane. 
 
THE SILVER GREY RABBIT 103 
 
 "In shape they should be plump, high on the hind 
 quarters, loin well filled, neck low, head rather large and 
 keeping in good proportion with the body, broad to the 
 front and on no account tapering or snipey, and the dew- 
 lap of the doe cannot be too large, broad, or too much to 
 the front, nothing in my opinion looking so comfortable 
 as a well-developed specimen at repose, with its head well 
 cushioned on a good large dewlap. 
 
 " Some judges, I know, object to this point, but why I 
 could never ascertain, for, to say the least, a rabbit with a 
 large dewlap has more fur than one without it, besides 
 the elegant appearance it gives the animal. 
 
 " The eye, should be large, dark and protruding, and 
 bold in appearance ; ears small rather than large, neat 
 and well pricked ; legs and feet, though neat and compact, 
 strong in bone and perfectly shaped. 
 
 " Although there are many handsome specimens in their 
 natural warrens, yet when first introduced into this country 
 most were very dark in colour, though very even through- 
 out ; but with great care and good selection in breeding, 
 even with the help of warmth, which they require to bring 
 them to perfection, have produced some of the most 
 beautiful and perfect of their kind, which have taken the 
 lead at many of our exhibitions. 
 
 " As at present bred, there are two kinds, or shades, of 
 colour, viz., the dark or heavily ticked, and the light or 
 thinly ticked ones ; the latter being preferred by some 
 judges, while to my taste the former are the more 
 perfect, these being much more difficult to produce than; 
 the light ones. 
 
io 4 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 " The light shade is often termed ' mealy' on account 
 of the sameness or flatness of appearance ; while the dark 
 shade always presents a more lively or sparkling surface, 
 which is produced by ticking, a point I will shortly 
 endeavour to explain. 
 
 "There is a third shade which should be avoided 
 altogether, except for crossing or the production of the Silver 
 Fawn I refer to the light shade, with an ochrey or creamy 
 tinge, which gives the fur a sickly or faded appearance. 
 
 " In the first-named shade we find the skin of a pale 
 flesh colour, the thick, fine, short undercoat, or pily 
 fur, or what is generally termed the ground colour, of a 
 dark slate, and over this comes the silvering and ticking, 
 which is composed of longer and stronger hairs, thickly 
 interspersed with the undercoat, passing through to the 
 surface, and determining the shade of colour, part of 
 these hairs being pure glistening white, and the rest of a 
 rich shining black, these being dispersed in the proportion 
 of about five white hairs to one black one, the white 
 forming the silvering and the black the ticking. 
 
 <c These are generally a little darker on the head and 
 ears, for on account of the darker shades of the ground 
 colour, and the shortness of the fur on those parts, it is 
 next to impossible to get the colour even with that of the 
 body, and consequently some allowance should be made 
 in judging them ; while, on the contrary, the light shade 
 can be got more even in appearance, the ground colour 
 being much lighter than in the darker shades. 
 
 " In the light shade we find the skin very similar to 
 that of the dark shade, but perhaps a little more pinky, 
 
THE SILVER GREY RABBIT 105 
 
 the under or pily coat paler and less decided in tint, the 
 silvering and ticking being composed of about ten white 
 hairs to one black one. 
 
 " But in giving these figures, I am open to correction, 
 as it would be a difficult process to determine to a certainty ; 
 and yet this is the conclusion to which I have come, after 
 very careful examination of several high-class specimens 
 of both the colours. 
 
 " For the show pen, I must admit that evenness is a 
 very desirable point, and where one of the darker variety 
 is found perfectly even I should allow fifteen points, 
 while in the lighter colour I would allow only ten points. 
 
 " In judging a class of, say, twenty Silver Greys, my 
 method is as follows : I first go over them while in the pens, 
 selecting about a dozen that present some quality ; next 
 I examine them for silvering and evenness, selecting about 
 eight, and giving the remaining four a ' Commended ' 
 each ; then I take the others out and examine them 
 thoroughly, c Highly Commending ' about three and 
 the remaining five I have placed on a table, under a 
 strong light, when the veriest novice can select the three 
 winners, and the two .left out are entitled to a ' Very 
 Highly Commended ' each. 
 
 "Well-ticked rabbits may be easily produced by 
 keeping up a cross of darker shade, or salt and pepper 
 coloured ones, with the clear light shades, this being the 
 whole secret of success ; but great care should be taken 
 to exclude all approach to the pinky or ochrey shade, 
 which would destroy all chance of attaining the coveted 
 frosted, glistening surface. 
 
106 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 " When just born the young are of a slatey blue colour, 
 and at about a month old they appear to be quite black, 
 but on close examination they will be found to be broken 
 all through the fur with white hairs, and at the first moult 
 this changes to the real silvering or light colour, when it 
 may be determined as to which are the best ; but they 
 are never at their best till after the second moult, and 
 generally not till they are about twelve months old, the does 
 usually assuming their grandeur soon after the first litter. 
 
 " While in a brood the does are generally the best, so 
 that when a buck is found equal to a doe in all points, 
 some allowance should be made in its favour. 
 
 "STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR JUDGING DARK 
 
 SILVER GREY RABBITS 
 
 Head, of fair size without tapering . . 5 Points 
 Eyes, large, dark and protruding . . 5 
 
 Ears, small, with erect carriage ... 5 
 Shape, plump, with a good loin ... 5 
 Coat, thick, close and fine . . .5 
 
 Ground colour, dark slate . . . .10 
 
 Silvering, sharp and clear . . . .10 
 
 Ticking, distinct and bright . . . 15 
 Evenness, as uniform as possible . . 15 
 
 Dewlap, large and broad . . . .10 
 
 Condition ....... 5 
 
 Size, from eight to twelve pounds . .10 
 
 "Total 100 Points 
 
THE SILVER GREY RABBIT 107 
 
 " In the lighter shades the difference in points should 
 be silvering fifteen, and evenness ten, which brings it up to 
 the same total of a hundred points, where classes are 
 provided for them apart from the dark shade. 
 
 " Disqualifications. (i) A tawny white shade of coat ; 
 (2) white on nose, ears, feet or tail ; (3) any blotches, or 
 foreign colour on any part of body ; (4) crooked limbs, 
 lop or half lop ears, or light or broken eyes, the latter 
 amounting to little more than a defect, and if only slight 
 may deduct a few points only on that account, allow- 
 ing them to compete." 
 
CHAPTER XVI 
 
 THE SILVER FAWN OR CREAM RABBIT 
 
 THIS variety, which is also often called Silver Fawn, is 
 another which seems to be generally believed to have a 
 foreign origin and does not appear to have been seen in 
 this country until within the last thirty years, but they 
 were known on the Continent of Europe for some time 
 previously, and the skins have been objects of value for 
 various purposes. 
 
 They resemble their cousins, the Silver Greys, from 
 whom indeed many persons allege they are an offshoot, in 
 being very hardy in constitution and prolific as breeders, 
 but three or four are recommended as enough to leave 
 upon the doe, placing the remainder under a foster mother. 
 
 There is a tendency, in this variety, for the shades of 
 colour on the heads to be stronger than on the rest of 
 the animal, but this may be overcome in time, by careful 
 mating with those least marked in that way. 
 
 Of course, evenness is a greatly-desired quality, and 
 the more uniform the colour of a specimen is, joined with 
 shortness of coat, richness of tint of undercoat, neat, 
 short, erect ears, and brown eyes, bright clear and 
 expressive, the more nearly will it approach the desired 
 standard. I think they may be said to have two divisions 
 of shade those richest in under colour being termed 
 
 108 
 
THE SILVER FAWN OR CREAM RABBIT 109 
 
 Silver Fawns, and the others Silver Creams ; the silvering^ 
 in both is important, and should be sharp rather than 
 mealy in character ; the actual colour is difficult to 
 describe in writing, but can be easily appreciated by 
 comparison of specimens of each. There is some differ- 
 ence of opinion, amongst breeders and judges, as to the , 
 ideal weight of this variety, but I think the majority 
 agree they should not exceed seven pounds for the 
 show pen ; of course, those bred for the table, or for their 
 skins, may be as large as possible, as in those cases 
 quantity will be desired rather than quality, and for the 
 same reason dewlaps will not be any drawbacks ; but for 
 my own part, I am so disposed to favour neatness of 
 shape and outline in all the three divisions of " Silvers," 
 that I prefer the absence of dewlaps in them all, as > 
 although it may add much to the comfortable-looking 
 appearance of specimens when at rest, I think it is at the 
 sacrifice of smartness ; and, other points being equal, I 
 should put a specimen with pronounced dewlap below 
 one without it. 
 
 My idea of the variety may be given shortly as 
 follows : 
 
 Head well shaped, without being very long ; ears 
 small, not exceeding four inches in .a matured specimen ; 
 feet, moderate size ; legs not too long and without 
 markings ; body nicely rounded and rather cobby in 
 shape ; coat rather short and crisp, with rich under 
 colour when turned back, and elastic to spring back into 
 place ; fore and hind feet, chest and tail, all of a rich 
 silvery fawn. The main difference between Creams and 
 
no RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 Fawns is in the shading of their coats, the silvering of 
 the former being more in evidence than in the latter, 
 but it will be found that Silver Creams and Silver 
 Fawns will often appear in the same litter, and from 
 parents of either of those colours. 
 
 I may be mistaken, but it is my impression there are 
 not so many Silver Creams or Fawns seen at our shows 
 as used to be exhibited some ten or twelve years since, 
 perhaps the decided run of popular favour on the 
 Belgian Hare and Old English Rabbits may have 
 something to do with it, if I am correct in my view. 
 
 My old friend, Enoch Hutton, F.Z.S., who is 
 perhaps one of the most experienced breeders of most 
 varieties of Rabbits, now living, wrote some years since 
 his opinions about Silver Creams as follows : 
 
 "The Silver Cream, or, to be more explicit in its 
 designation, the Silver Fawn Rabbit, is the remote part 
 of the Silver Grey, and, though but recently introduced 
 to the show pen, bids fair to attain a high position, and 
 even to rival the Silver Grey in popularity and usefulness. 
 
 " Many crosses have been introduced of late, with an 
 eye to the production of this variety, and with a view to 
 improving the evenness and richness of ground colour ; 
 but as yet little has been done in that direction, for 
 although at a glance most of such crosses have a super- 
 ficial appearance sufficient to deceive a beginner, yet, 
 on careful examination, these have proved of little value, 
 the ground colour being generally white, or very pale 
 fawn, the belly and feet pure white, many showing the 
 shape of head, ear and gait of the Belgian Hare ; and 
 
THE SILVER FAWN OR CREAM RABBIT in 
 
 while quite even in colour, and free from smuttiness on 
 head, ears and nose, at least one half of the fur has been 
 of no more value than that of the common white rabbit, 
 while the ticking and silvering, which are indispensable in 
 a good specimen, have been almost ' nil ' and it is 
 my opinion that if those produced solely from the Silver 
 Greys were carefully selected, and bred together, a race 
 would result that would be quite sure to reproduce true to 
 colour, and in time the shady part might be bred out ; and, 
 so far, I look upon it as a mistake to try to manufacture 
 them, while such good materials are at hand, ready made. 
 
 " If, however, every other good and useful property is 
 to be forfeited for the so-called evenness, then, of course, 
 the new product will be taken by the careless as bearing 
 the palm, while in truth the old style, or those produced 
 originally from the Silver Grey, are far more even in 
 colour, being sound on the under surface as well as on 
 the back, while the new ones are mostly white, the only 
 disadvantage of the former being the little cloudiness on 
 head and ears, while their furs are much more valuable 
 than those of the new variety, for little more than half 
 the fur of the latter is of any value. 
 
 " The dark shade on the head is caused by a few black 
 hairs, or ticking, which comes from the Silver Grey, and 
 which, I have no doubt, might with a little care be bred out." 
 
 My main object has been to instruct, or to try and place 
 the beginner in the way of selecting for himself, and to this 
 end I will give some rules by which I should proceed 
 in my selection of the proper rabbits from which to breed. 
 
 In shape, size, style and carriage they should be 
 
1 12 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 similar to the Silver Grey. The ground colour should 
 be silver fawn, this applying to the under part as well, 
 although they will always be somewhat pale there. This 
 should be well intermixed with a longer and stronger 
 kind of hair, which, working through the ground colour, 
 forms the effect on the surface known as silvering and 
 ticking, and these are always found in a good specimen 
 in about the proportions, speaking roundly, of six white 
 to one deep fawn and red one. As a rule, the does are 
 much better than the bucks. 
 
 As a guide, I would lay down the points as follows : 
 
 STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR JUDGING THE 
 SILVER FAWN OR CREAM RABBIT 
 
 Head ....... 5 Points 
 
 Ears - ., 5 
 
 Eyes . 5 
 
 Coat 5 
 
 Ground colour, rich fawn . . . . 20 ,, 
 
 Silvering . . . -,.". . '.. . 15 
 Ticking . . . . . . 15 ,, 
 
 Evenness, taking the belly as well as other parts 10 
 Dewlap . . . . . '. 10 ,, 
 
 Size and shape . . , . > ; . .10,, 
 Condition . . . i, . . 5 ,, 
 
 Total 100 Points 
 
 The disqualifications are spots on any part of the 
 animal, crooked limbs, and lop, or half lop, ears, etc. 
 
SILVER FAWN "CH. ORANGE QUEEN.' 
 Owners, Messrs Barkham and Stones. 
 
 SILVER FAWN " CH. LINCOLN HERO." 
 Owner, T. A. Luck. 
 
 To face page 112. 
 
CHAPTER XVII 
 
 THE SILVER BROWN RABBIT 
 
 THIS is certainly comparatively a newcomer into the 
 fancy, as there are plenty of men now living who 
 remember its first appearance and it is claimed to be the 
 result of a cross between a Belgiam Hare^ Rabbit and a 
 Silver Grey ; nevertheless it has long been sufficiently 
 established to breed true to type and colour, and has many 
 admirers. I do not think it has, or ever had, the same 
 amount of popularity enjoyed by Silver Greys, Creams 
 and Fawns, but it has a good deal of beauty of its own. 
 
 In cobbiness and neatness of shape it takes more 
 after the Silver Greys, which it also resembles in its 
 lively manner of action, and the evenness and uniformity 
 of ticking ; the ears, which should not be wide or much 
 open towards the upper part, are small, being preferred 
 not exceeding four inches in length, and should | be free 
 from the lacing at the edges which is so desired in the 
 Belgian Hare. 
 
 The eyes, which are dark and protruding and free from 
 any whiteness, or even paleness, in the tint of the hair 
 surrounding them, should be expressive and intelligent- 
 looking. 
 
 H 113 
 
n 4 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 The legs are fairly long, but not strong in bone, as 
 all coarseness is to be avoided, and they should be without 
 any markings, just the same tint as rest of body, and both 
 fore and hind legs without white over or under. 
 
 The chest must be as rich in tint as the body colour, 
 many failing in this respect by being pale or nearly 
 white in this part, with much prejudice to the general 
 effect. 
 
 The tail should be of even colour, not white or pale, 
 but a greyish blue, showing the ticking or silvering well 
 defined. 
 
 In size I prefer them rather smaller than the Greys 
 or Creams, for exhibition specimens, as in this variety 
 the larger animals seem to lack neatness and develop a 
 coarse appearance, which I do not like at all. 
 
 In my opinion, those correct in other respects 
 should not exceed eight pounds, and I have seen many of 
 the best between six and eight pounds in weight. 
 
 Of course, those who breed for the table, or for the 
 skins of their animals, can get them up to a much 
 greater size, but I am writing with the object of giving 
 some useful hints to those who are mainly concerned 
 with stock for exhibition, as there are plenty of books 
 dealing with the utility side of the question. 
 
 As I have said of some other varieties, so I say of 
 this, it will be found best not to keep on breeding from 
 two specimens of the Silver Brown, even though they 
 may both be good in themselves, as the occasional use of a 
 Silver Fawn, rich in under colour, with one of the 
 Browns, will be found to better preserve the desired 
 
THE SILVER BROWN RABBIT 115 
 
 shade, and it will also assist in removing traces of the 
 original Belgian Hare ancestry, which often make them- 
 selves apparent in the ear lacing, thought so detrimental 
 in Silver Browns. 
 
 Although the does of this variety are fairly prolific, 
 and make good mothers in a general way, they do not 
 often have large litters at a time, the number rarely 
 exceeding eight, and more often four or five, but it is not 
 wise to leave more than four upon the doe, placing the 
 others, if they seem good enough in promise, under 
 the care of a Dutch or Polish, to rear. 
 
 I need not give any directions about feeding, etc., as 
 this variety requires nothing special, and what I have said 
 of several others will equally apply in this case. 
 
 I have seen it stated, on the authority of a very well- 
 known breeder, that the skins of Silver Browns are 
 thought so much of by the furriers, that as much as from 
 ninety to one hundred shillings per dozen have been 
 paid for them. All I can say of the matter is, that if even 
 half that amount can be obtained, I think it would prove 
 very remunerative to those who have the necessary 
 accommodation and time to bestow on the undertaking, to 
 breed this variety entirely with that object in view. 
 
 Mr J. H. Roberts, whose long experience as a fancier 
 and judge entitles his opinion to considerable weight, 
 writes as follows of Silver Browns : 
 
 c< The colour of the coat is made up of three shades, 
 the brown of which should be most prominent, beauti- 
 fully interspersed with white and black hairs, called tick- 
 ing. Over this should appear a kind of frostiness, 
 
n6 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 delightfully sparkling to the eye. The ground colour 
 next to the skin should be of a dark slaty appearance, 
 the darker the better, as in Silver Greys ; then comes a 
 lovely rich brown with tints of purple, this is a shade 
 almost indescribable, terminating on top with an even 
 mixture of the three distinct colours, viz., brown, black 
 and white hairs. The amount of colour on the surface 
 constitutes to a greater or lesser degree the demarcation of 
 the different shades required to make up a dark, medium, 
 or light shade. 
 
 "The points to be avoided are : (i) Unevenness in 
 shade of colour throughout, from the nose to the end of 
 the tail ; (2) having what is termed a cloudy head, that 
 is, the head and ears being much darker in colour than 
 the body ; (3) ears long and tulip-shaped, with fringe, or 
 what is known as beading, round the top, this should 
 especially be bred out and be beadless ; (4) barred or 
 brown front feet, or hind feet white or partially so ; (5) 
 white speck on the nose, or light chest ; and (6) fur or 
 coat long and open, with pale ground colour. 
 
 All these are defects which are to be found, not only 
 in this variety, but also in others of the Silver tribe. 
 
 The appearance should be cobby altogether, in size 
 rather longer than a Dutch, weight about seven or eight 
 pounds, having neat, short ears, showing as much front as 
 possible, without the inner ear being visible. 
 
 I consider the eyes important in selling the rabbit to 
 advantage ; these should be of a sparkling rich dark hazel 
 colour, rather large and prominent. 
 
 Fur short and thick, to feel soft and silky when 
 
SILVER BROWN "CH. FIRST FAVOURITE." 
 Owners, Messrs Tee and Son. 
 
 To face page 116. 
 
 SILVER BROWN " LITTLE GOLDMINE 
 Owners, Messrs Tee and Son. 
 
THE SILVER BROWN RABBIT 117 
 
 touched, and if rubbed back the wrong way to fall back 
 quickly into position again, thus indicating that the 
 animal is enjoying the best of health. 
 
 STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE POINTS OF THE 
 EXHIBITION SILVER BROWN RABBIT 
 
 Head, fairly round, and not too long . . 5 
 Ears short and without lacing . . .10 
 Eyes, sharp, large and prominent ... 5 
 Shape and general appearance . . .10 
 Coat, short, fine and silky . . . .10 
 Under colour deep and rich . . .20 
 Evenness of ticking and silvering. . . 25 
 Condition, no fat or coarseness . . .10 
 Size, not exceeding eight pounds ... 5 
 
 Total 100 Points 
 
CHAPTER XVIII 
 
 CONCLUDING REMARKS ABOUT RABBITS 
 
 NEITHER Rabbits nor Cavies lend themselves very much to 
 affording materials for anecdotes, but the following short 
 article, which appeared in the Leisure Hour for September 
 last, may be interesting to some of my readers : 
 
 U THE RABBIT IN AUSTRALIA 
 
 " It is some 4000 years since the wise man drew atten- 
 tion to the energy and enterprise of the " conies," which, 
 though a feeble folk, had their dwelling in the rocks. 
 
 " In Australia the coney, which we may freely translate 
 as the rabbit, has well sustained his reputation. 
 
 " It is only about thirty years since the first pairs were 
 liberated in the State of Victoria, and yet already they 
 have spread to every State in the continent. 
 
 " At first, the wire fences, which were erected between 
 Victoria and South Australia, were expected to check his 
 western march, while the Murray River was confidently 
 regarded as a bar to his progress north. 
 
 " But he climbed over or burrowed under the former 
 
 118 
 
REMARKS ABOUT RABBITS 119 
 
 and swam the latter, until at last the attempt to confine 
 his sphere of operations has been practically abandoned. 
 
 " Queensland alone, with a desperate system of wire 
 netting fences, still keeps up the hopeless battle. But it 
 was taken for granted that the arid, waterless desert 
 between South Australia and West Australia would prove 
 an insuperable barrier, and save one State, at least, from 
 the pest. 
 
 "However, this hope was just as ill founded as the 
 others. A year or two ago it was announced that rabbits 
 had been seen on the gold-fields. 
 
 u Since then the irrepressible bunny has increased and 
 spread, until, last week, the people of Esperance, a port 
 on the south coast some distance east of Albany, and the 
 centre of a fair area of good grazing country, asked the 
 Government to take steps to protect them from the 
 invader. They want a netting fence built to the east of 
 their district, or else, they say, a big tract of grazing 
 country will be ruined. The energy and fecundity of the 
 rabbit in this new country is amazing. Climate, soil and 
 surroundings all seem to suit him, and, like the old 
 pioneers, he has made up his mind to stay." 
 
 The following paragraph, which I saw last autumn in 
 the Bristol Evening News, shows that rabbits are some- 
 times a trouble to rural districts in England : 
 
 " PLAGUE OF RABBITS IN THE WEST 
 
 " Farmers attending Tiverton Market, in Devonshire,, 
 yesterday brought gloomy stories of damage done to 
 
120 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 standing wheat crops by rabbits, at Cove, about three 
 miles out. 
 
 " The damage is of so extensive a nature, that the corn 
 in many of the fields cannot be cut by machinery. 
 
 " Rabbits have also played havoc with the oat crops. 
 
 " From many other parishes in North and North- East 
 Devon similar damage is reported. 
 
 " Rabbits have multiplied to such an extent as to 
 become a plague . The trouble has been growing for some 
 two or three years, and strenuous efforts have been made 
 to keep the rabbits down. 
 
 " About twelve months ago a number of farmers met 
 to consider what steps should be taken to prevent the 
 increase. One gentleman advocated the use of poison, a 
 suggestion which did not find favour then. 
 
 " It is thought now that more stringent measures will 
 have to be taken than merely using guns. It is estimated 
 that each rabbit costs the farmer two shillings a year. 
 When sent to the local markets they realise no more than 
 sixpence a-piece. The total damage done by the rabbits 
 represents, in many cases, enough to pay the farmers' 
 rents." 
 
 The late Rev. J. C. Atkinson, the well-known 
 naturalist, relates the following incident, which may be 
 interesting to some of my readers : 
 
 " There seems to be but little question that the male 
 partridge, as is known to be the case with the male of 
 other species of birds, occasionally takes his turn in the 
 labours of incubation. 
 
 " As the time of hatching approaches, or is fully come, 
 
REMARKS ABOUT RABBITS 121 
 
 he may be seen sedulously assisting his mate in the 
 anxious cares of the moment, covering part of the eggs, or 
 scarcely-hatched chicks, as he sits side by side with her ; 
 and often, in the earlier stages, he seems to be ' on duty ' 
 at no great distance from the sitting hen. One instance 
 came to my knowledge, many years since, in which the 
 cock bird was evidently not only near the nest, but ready 
 to exhibit its prowess in the protection of his mate and 
 her charge. 
 
 " A wild rabbit used occasionally to come out to feed 
 somewhat too near the sacred precincts, and as often as he 
 did so, the partridge was sure to pounce on him, and 
 after a short engagement, in which wing and bill were 
 both freely used, in spite of the great disparity between 
 the size and strength of the combatants, the pluck and 
 determination of the game little bird invariably prevailed, 
 and the discomfited rabbit was always compelled to with- 
 draw to a more respectful distance." 
 
 From Bingleys Animal Biography , written just a 
 hundred years ago, the following is quoted, which, in the 
 face of what is taking place in our Colonies, is rather 
 interesting : 
 
 "The fecundity of this animal is truly astonishing. 
 It breeds seven times in the year, and generally produces 
 seven or eight young ones at a time. 
 
 " Supposing this to happen regularly for about four 
 years, the progeny from a single pair will amount to more 
 than a million ! 
 
 " Their numerous enemies prevent any increase likely 
 to prove injurious to mankind, for, besides their affording 
 
122 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 food to us, they are devoured also by animals of prey of 
 almost every description, which make dreadful havoc 
 among them. 
 
 "Yet, notwithstanding this, in the time of the Romans 
 they once proved such a nuisance in the Balearic Isles, 
 that the inhabitants were obliged to implore the assistance 
 of a military force from Augustus to exterminate them." 
 
 The following account appears in Andersorfs 
 Recreations of Agriculture, of the regular production of 
 a singular variety of the rabbit with only one ear : 
 
 " A gentleman of my acquaintance chanced to find a 
 rabbit among his breed that had only one ear. He watched 
 the progeny of that creature, and among them he found 
 one of the opposite sex that had only one ear also ; he 
 paired these two rabbits together, and has now a breed of 
 rabbits one eared, which propagate as fast and as 
 constantly produce their like as the two-eared rabbit y 
 from which they were originally descended." 
 
 From the following account, given by a gentleman 
 who amused himself with raising rabbits, it will appear 
 that they have some idea of subordination : 
 
 " I began with only one male and one female, the 
 former white, the latter grey, and of their produce, which 
 was very numerous, the greater part were grey, a good 
 number of them white, and of a mixed colour, and some 
 few black. 
 
 "These animals seem to have a great respect for 
 paternal authority, at least I judge so from the great 
 deference which all my rabbits showed for their first 
 ancestor, whom I can always easily distinguish by his 
 
REMARKS ABOUT RABBITS 123 
 
 whiteness, and who is, indeed, the only male of that 
 colour I have preserved. 
 
 u It was to no purpose that the family augmented, those 
 which in their turn became fathers were still subordinate 
 to him. 
 
 "Whenever they fought, whether on account of their 
 females or concerning their food, their great progenitor 
 would run to the place of dispute, with all speed, as soon 
 as he heard the noise. No sooner did they perceive him 
 than everything was presently reduced to order, and if he 
 surprised any one of them actually assaulting another, he 
 used to separate him from the rest, and punish him on 
 the spot. 
 
 " Another proof .of his dominion is, that they were 
 accustomed to be summoned by a whistle ; whenever 
 I gave the signal, how distant soever they might be, this old 
 one immediately put himself at their head ; and though 
 he came first, yet he made them all file off and enter 
 before him, nor would he go in till the last." 
 
 So many useful books have appeared giving all manner 
 of directions about hutches and houses for rabbit-keeping, 
 and some of them containing, also, the best methods of 
 coping with their ailments, with remedies for their cure, 
 that I think I need not go into these matters, as these 
 pages are mainly written to give intending fanciers, in as 
 concise terms and condensed form as possible, some 
 useful hints as to what are the points to be sought for in 
 breeding or purchasing the nearest approach to per- 
 fection in the several varieties which are to be seen at the 
 shows, which are now being held so extensively in these 
 
i2 4 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 and other countries, providing recreation, and in many 
 cases, where judgment and attention is bestowed upon 
 them, substantial remuneration to thousands of fanciers, 
 of both sexes, and in all ranks of life. 
 
 The following description, by the late Rev. J. G. 
 Wood, F.Z.S., whose works on Natural History have 
 afforded pleasure to thousands of readers, including the 
 writer, who also enjoyed his lectures on the same subject, 
 will give my readers a capital notion of a rabbit 
 warren : 
 
 " To see rabbits at their best, it is necessary to be 
 concealed in their immediate vicinity, and watch them in 
 the early morning or in the fall of the evening. No one 
 can form any true conception of the Rabbit nature until 
 he has observed the little creatures in their native 
 home, and when he has done so he will seize the earliest 
 opportunity of renewing his acquaintance with the droll 
 little creatures. 
 
 "To describe the manifold antics of a rabbit warren 
 would occupy a considerable space. The little animals 
 are such quaint, ridiculous beings, and are so full of such 
 comical little coquetries, and such absurd airs of assumed 
 dignity, that they sorely try the gravity of the concealed 
 observer, and sometimes cause him to burst into irre- 
 pressible laughter, to their profound dismay. At one 
 time they are gravely pattering about the entrances 
 to their subterranean homes, occasionally sitting upright 
 and gazing in every direction, as if fearful of a surprise, 
 and all behaving with the profoundest gravity, next moment 
 someone gets angry and stamps his feet upon the ground 
 
REMARKS ABOUT RABBITS 125 
 
 as a preliminary observation, before engaging in a regular 
 fight. Suddenly a whole party rush at full speed, 
 scampering over the ground, as if they meant to run for 
 a mile at least, but unexpectedly stop short at an inviting 
 tuft of herbage, and nibble it as composedly as if they 
 had not run a yard. 
 
 "Then a sudden panic will flash through the whole party, 
 and, with a rush and a scurry, every rabbit hops into its 
 burrow and vanishes from sight like magic. The spot 
 that was so full of life a moment before is now deserted, 
 as if it had been uninhabited for ages, but in a few 
 minutes one little nose is seen cautiously poked out of a 
 burrow, the head and ears follow, and, in a very short 
 time, the frightened rabbits have come into the light 
 of day, and have recommenced their interrupted 
 pastime." 
 
 Where natural warrens do not exist, artificial ones are 
 sometimes constructed, but this, of course, can only be 
 done in situations where the soil is favourable. 
 
 In Glamorganshire, there is said to be an enclosed 
 warren of 1600 or 1700 acres, within a wall. It is 
 stocked with various kinds of rabbits, and produces a very 
 good income, as much as ,1600 a year. One foreign 
 customer is said to have paid as much as ^800 per 
 annum for skins of one particular variety (probably Silver 
 Greys or Browns), for the German fairs, whence they 
 travel into Russia and the East. 
 
 In another county it is stated that, on a farm of 
 2600 acres, a portion only of which was warren, the skins 
 and flesh of the rabbits paid the rent, besides the 
 
126 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 expense of these warreners. There were seven of these 
 officials, with dogs and implements in abundance. Besides 
 wages they were allowed all the rabbits they could eat, and 
 bread, bacon, vegetables, beer, etc., from the farm-house 
 to be consumed in their huts on the warren, where they 
 cooked, in hermit-like solitude, for themselves. During 
 the killing season they worked in the night, finishing off 
 at about two in the morning. This took place every 
 night except Sundays. The catch was immediately 
 " hulked," or disembowelled, coupled and then sent off to 
 London in regular vans. During the day false burrows 
 are dug in the portion of the warren to be worked in the 
 evening, which was afterwards partially encircled with a 
 net. When the rabbits came out to feed they were driven 
 by dogs and beaters into the enclosure. 
 
 Taking refuge by droves in the false burrows, they 
 were easily caught by the men, those that escaped them 
 being intercepted by the net. 
 
 One bright moonlight night, when we witnessed the 
 chase, 200 couple were taken. The dogs not being 
 allowed to touch them, very few rabbits indeed were 
 mangled or torn ; stretching their necks was the mode of 
 death. 
 
 I am very pleased to see the enclosed in a recent issue 
 of the Adelaide Advertiser , but it has always greatly sur- 
 prised me that such progressive and intelligent people as 
 our Australian cousins have long proved themselves to 
 be, should have wasted so much time and money in the 
 endeavour to extirpate rabbits in their continent, when, 
 by making proper arrangements for the distribution of 
 
REMARKS ABOUT RABBITS 127 
 
 what is a popular article of food, and with a practically 
 increasing demand for the skins of the little animals, it 
 has always seemed to me, instead of wringing their hands 
 and calling down curses on what they called the " terrible 
 scourge of rabbits," they should at once have turned to 
 account what is proving, and will prove, a source of con- 
 siderable monetary advantage : 
 
 " At one time rabbits, when there was practically no 
 demand for their skins or carcases, cost the Australian 
 squatters hundreds of thousands of pounds annually to 
 destroy. 
 
 " But at present men in the Commonwealth engaged 
 in trapping them, also hares, kangaroos, wallabies, 
 foxes, opossums and native bears, earn over half a 
 million sterling. 
 
 "Twenty millions of Australian rabbit skins were 
 sold in London last year, representing an actual money 
 value of i 1,000 in cash. 
 
 " Besides which, 600 bales containing 1,600,000 skins 
 were sent to France, while over two and a half million 
 rabbits, frozen, with their skins on, were shipped to 
 England from Victoria alone. 
 
 <c Thus in 1901 the trappers' account for some 
 4,000,000 of rabbits sent to Europe, besides a large 
 Colonial consumption, represented a money value of 
 nearly a quarter of a million sterling." 
 
To face page 128. 
 
CATS 
 

 
 
 w hJ 
 
 . c 
 K 
 u o 
 
CHAPTER XIX 
 
 THE LONG-HAIRED WHITE CAT 
 
 I DO not propose in these sketches to go into the question 
 of the origin of the Cat, as so many books have appeared 
 going into details of this kind, but rather to say a few 
 words of the several varieties seen at our shows, with 
 short descriptions of each, and plain directions as to the 
 qualities to be sought for. 
 
 To my mind, the White is one of the most beautiful 
 of the Long Hairs, and when pure in tint, in full coat, and 
 with the pale blue eyes which should be a sine qua non in 
 this variety, is an ornament fit for the palace of a 
 emperor. 
 
 Unfortunately, cats of this colour have a great 
 tendency to be more or less hard of hearing, many I 
 have met with of my own and belonging to others being 
 totally deaf ; and this is awkward in many ways, particu- 
 larly if not kept in a cattery, and is such a drawback that 
 I would advise any intending purchaser to make sure of 
 the hearing capabilities of any they may be offered. 
 
 Of course these require to be kept scrupulously clean, 
 and must not be allowed liberty to roam at random and 
 
132 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 will require constant attention to their coats, even to the 
 extent of careful washing, drying before a fire, and 
 combing when sent to a show, and the box, which, when 
 properly ventilated round the upper edges just under the 
 cover all round it, I greatly prefer to baskets, even 
 when lined. It should have brown holland or calico 
 tacked round the sides to guard against any possibility of 
 soiling the coats, and the bedding for them, as indeed for 
 all cats, should either be paper shavings, such as may be 
 got from bookbinders and many stationers, or what is 
 known as reed straw. 
 
 The head should be somewhat broad, round and 
 fairly large, short in face, eyes wide apart, cheeks, fore- 
 head and round mouth well furnished with hair. 
 
 Ears small and well carried, fully supplied with soft 
 fine hair outside, and tufts of hair inside, with points to 
 tips. 
 
 Eyes bright and large, nearly round in shape, and as 
 much the shade known as turquoise as possible, and 
 matching each other, odd eyes being a defect often seen. 
 Amber eyes are not a disqualification, but count against 
 a specimen. 
 
 Chest and shoulders should have a profusion of long 
 hair forming a mane and frill, greatly adding to their 
 beauty and style. 
 
 I do not remember seeing any Russian Long-haired 
 Cats of this colour, but it is frequently met with in 
 Angoras and Persians, the character of the coats of the 
 former is more woolly than the latter, which are softer, 
 finer and more silky to the feel, but each of them should 
 
CKEAM "CH. RONALDKIRK MIDSHIPMITE." 
 Well-known Prize Winner. Owner, Miss Beal. 
 
 To face page 133. 
 
THE LONG-HAIRED CAT 133 
 
 have an abundant coat all over the body, particularly at 
 the sides and thighs. 
 
 The feet and legs should be well clothed with hair, 
 even to the feet and between the toes, and be fairly 
 strong in bone. 
 
 The tail, which is an important feature in all long- 
 haired cats, should not be long in itself, but covered with 
 very long hair, rather thicker in apparent size than in 
 Angoras, carried gracefully with a curve, but never curled 
 over the back at any time. 
 
 The size of males is almost always greater than 
 females, for the former fourteen pounds is a large weight, 
 and may be generally taken as a limit, and females of 
 twelve pounds are quite up to the average of the best 
 specimens usually seen. 
 
 Condition, which includes general appearance and 
 shape, is very important, and is a good deal the result of 
 the attention paid to an animal by the amount of 
 grooming, etc., it has received. To render it in as perfect 
 form as possible, the whole of the head, chest, back, sides, 
 legs, feet and tail being gone over with a brush with long 
 bristles, and all knots or foreign matter, such as straw, 
 hay, etc., removed from the hair the last thing before 
 being sent off. 
 
 Colour should be as pure white as obtainable, some 
 prefer a little squeeze of the blue bag in the water before 
 washing, to give a blue white tinge like we see in milk, 
 others like a more creamy white, but, at anyrate, it should 
 have no tints of any kind in it, but, literally, be as pure 
 as newly-fallen snow. 
 
134 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR JUDGING 
 LONG-HAIRED WHITE CATS 
 
 Head, roundness and breadth, with short face 10 Points 
 Ears, not large, with tufts and tips . . 5 
 Eyes, size, shape and colour . . .10 ,, 
 Chest and shoulders well clothed . . .10 ,, 
 Legs and feet, not long, fair bone, and well 
 
 covered to the toes . . . . 5 
 Coat, on body and sides, very abundant . 20 ,, 
 Hind quarters and brush, very full . .10 
 Condition and general appearance . 15 ,, 
 
 Colour, without tint or shading . . .10,, 
 Size, up to about fourteen pounds as a limit . 5 ,, 
 
 Total 100 Points 
 
 THE LONG-HAIRED BLACK CAT 
 
 In the early days of cat shows, which, as I have said, 
 date back about thirty years, I think it is undoubted 
 that cats of this colour were much more popular than 
 they have been for some years past. 
 
 I can call to mind many splendid animals being shown 
 by Messrs Warner, A. A. Clarke, and others, which were 
 an object lesson to any fanciers, but there has been, and 
 is, such a decided run on the lighter shades of colour, 
 especially the Reds, Blues, Silvers, Creams and Chinchillas, 
 that the Blacks have been somewhat neglected. 
 
 One of the first long-haired cats I ever owned was a 
 
BLACK "KING LEAR." 
 
 1st, Crystal Palace, etc., etc. Owner, C. H. Lane. 
 
 To face page 135. 
 
THE LONG-HAIRED CAT 135 
 
 Black, and I have always been a great admirer of good 
 specimens of the colour, which often attain large dimen- 
 sions, and may be described as handsome, as opposed to 
 prettiness in some others. 
 
 The head should be in shape and character much the 
 same as in the White, with a dark instead of flesh-coloured 
 nose, and the cheeks well clothed with longish hair. 
 
 The ears almost hidden in the hair round them, lined 
 and tipped with soft hair as in last named. 
 
 The eyes very large, round and full, and the shade 
 of orange associated with the yolk of an egg ; this I look 
 upon as a very important point, in which a great many 
 otherwise good cats fail. 
 
 The shoulders and chest should be well covered with 
 long straight hair, forming mane and frill. 
 
 The legs and feet not long enough to make the 
 animal look leggy, or lanky, and fairly strong in bone in 
 large specimens. 
 
 The coat should be dense in character and profuse in 
 quantity. 
 
 The brush and hind quarters both with abundance 
 of long hair on them, the former carried gracefully below 
 the line of the back. 
 
 Condition, should be well rounded in shape of body, 
 without being loaded with fat, and general appearance of 
 dignity and grandeur. 
 
 In size, as far as my experience goes, and 1 have had 
 a good many of this colour, of both sexes, the males are 
 usually much larger than the females. I think the best of the 
 former should be up to thirteen or fourteen pounds, in good 
 
136 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 condition, and that ten pounds, or perhaps eleven, would be 
 about the average weight of the best females generally seen. 
 
 As to colour, it is most important this should be 
 intense pure black, as that of a raven, without a speck of 
 white anywhere, or what is also often seen, a rusty tinge 
 on any part of the animal. 
 
 Many people speak of a black cat, disregarding the 
 fact it may have a tiny spot of white somewhere, most 
 frequently on the chest, under the chin, on one of the feet, 
 or even on the tip of the tail, any or all of these are, in 
 my opinion, serious defects, and should not be passed 
 over without penalising the specimen, if it appears in the 
 show pen, as a black cat should be black and nothing else. 
 
 STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR JUDGING 
 LONG-HAIRED BLACK CATS 
 
 Head, large and massive with short broad face 10 Points 
 
 Ears, well tipped and tufted with hair . . 5 
 
 Eyes, very large, full, and deep orange . .10 ,, 
 
 Shoulders and chest well maned and frilled . 10 
 
 Legs and feet, strong and well boned . 5 
 
 Coat, long, straight, abundant and silky . 20 ,, 
 
 Condition, larged bodied, without fat . .10 
 
 Colour, intense, and pure blue black . 15 ,, 
 Size of males to fourteen pounds ; of females 
 
 to ten pounds . . . . . 5 ,, 
 Brush and hind quarters covered with long 
 
 hair 10 
 
 Total 100 Points 
 
ffi o 
 
 . u 8 
 
THE LONG-HAIRED CAT 137 
 
 THE LONG-HAIRED BLUE CAT 
 
 Until the comparatively recent advent of the Creams 
 and Chinchillas, I think there is no doubt cats of this 
 colour have been the most popular of any, and I am not 
 sure, even now, if there are not more of them to be found 
 than of any other variety of long-haired cat. 
 
 Many of them are exceedingly beautiful, and they 
 lend themselves to such a variety in shades, from the 
 deepest slate blue to the palest lavender, that fanciers can 
 usually find something to suit their taste. 
 
 Show committees, from the Crystal Palace down- 
 wards, have done much to foster the growth of the favour 
 which has been bestowed on the Blues ; as many attractive 
 special prizes have been offered for the best male, best 
 female, best single or pair of kittens, and probably more 
 valuable prizes have been won by Blues than by all other 
 kinds of long-haired cats together, and for a long time, 
 if not still, there were many breeders and fanciers who 
 kept no other variety. 
 
 Where the cats are not divided by sex, I think a large 
 class of Blues is one of the most difficult to judge, as you 
 will often find four or five quite distinct shades of the 
 colour, and, if they are fairly in coat, the running is 
 sometimes very even. 
 
 In this variety, I think, more than in most, the females 
 are sometimes better than the males, and I have often seen 
 one of the latter gain the coveted prize, as " Best in the 
 Show," but in these days it requires a good and almost 
 perfect specimen to do that at one of the larger shows. 
 
138 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 The head should be large and massive, face short, 
 nose dark, sides of face and neck well covered with hair . 
 
 Ears well carried, small, covered with soft hair on out- 
 sides, with tufts of hair inside and at tips. 
 
 Eye nearly round in shape, large in size and ex- 
 pressive, a sort of yellowy orange in colour. 
 
 Chest and shoulders, broad and well covered with 
 long straight hair in abundance. 
 
 Coat, dense and long all over the body, nearly reach- 
 ing the ground at the sides, quite straight and soft in 
 texture. 
 
 Legs and feet of sufficient strength without any 
 coarseness, and free from any bars, spots, or markings. 
 
 The tail and hind quarters with plenty of long 
 straight hair on them, the former very full and profuse. 
 
 The size of males may average to twelve pounds, 
 and of females, nearly approaching that weight, perhaps 
 eleven pounds. 
 
 Colour should be some shade of blue, which, as I 
 said before, gives a wide range for taste, but whatever 
 it is, should be pure, without tint or any mark or bar, 
 some failing here and showing a Tabby cross at some time 
 or other. 
 
 STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR JUDGING 
 LONG-HAIRED BLUE CATS 
 
 Head, size, shape, and type . 3r$ . . 10 Points 
 Ears, small and well carried . * * . y. : i 5 
 Eyes, expressive, large and full . v , ,v 10 
 

 BLUE U CH. HOLMWOOD SKITTLES." 
 Noted Prize Winner. Owner, Miss Jay. 
 
 BLUE "CH. MABEL OF LOZELLS." 
 Owner, C. W. Witt. 
 
 To face page 138. 
 
THE LONG-HAIRED CAT 139 
 
 Feet and legs, short rather than leggy . . 5 Points 
 Coat, long and deep on body and sides . .20 
 Shoulders and chest, well frilled and maned . 10 
 Thighs and tail, heavily coated . . .10,, 
 Condition and general appearance . 1 5 
 
 Colour, pure self blue as free from shade or 
 
 markings as possible . . . .10,, 
 Size, males about twelve pounds, females 
 
 eleven pounds . . . . 5 
 
 Total 100 Points 
 
 THE LONG-HAIRED CREAM CAT 
 
 There may be, in fact I have no doubt there are, 
 many who will say this is not long enough established 
 to be constituted a distinct variety, but, as there are 
 many devoting themselves to producing specimens, and 
 these have appeared again and again at various ages, 
 showing that they are being bred true to type, and 
 possess much delicacy and beauty of colouring, I think 
 the Creams are entitled to consider they have proved 
 their right to be as much a distinct variety as several 
 other members of the long-haired cat family. 
 
 The head should be of moderate size, broad across 
 the forehead, short in face, and nicely feathered on the 
 sides of neck and face. 
 
 The ears small and unobtrusive, but, of course, with 
 the typical tufts inside, and points to tips, as desired in 
 the other colours. 
 
1 40 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 The eyes round, but not too prominent, soft and 
 liquid in expression and match ing in colour,harmonising 
 with the coat and a golden yellow in colour. 
 
 The shoulders and chest, with mane and frill, well, 
 but not excessively developed, as I fancy animals of 
 their colour do not usually carry so much coat as others 
 or may appear not to do so from their neutral tint. 
 
 Legs and feet, fine in bone, and rather short than 
 long. Hind quarters and brush covered with long 
 straight hair, which has the appearance of being more 
 woolly in texture and less silky than in most of the 
 other colours, and the brush not so voluminous in 
 size. 
 
 The coat should be long and straight, with dense 
 undercoat of soft, close hair, more profuse on the 
 back and sides. 
 
 Condition should be fairly plump, without being 
 big, or any tendency to coarseness, rather inclining to 
 length of body and flatness at sides. 
 
 Colour, a sort of pale drab or cream all over, with 
 perhaps, a little warmer tint on the ears, shoulders, upper 
 part of back and brush, but not so as to break the 
 harmony of the whole. 
 
 Size, about ten pounds for males, and a little less for 
 females, this, in my view, being a variety which is not 
 improved by attaining great weight. 
 
 I am not aware that any scale has been published of 
 the points to be desired for show specimens, so that 
 I give my ideas upon it, with some diffidence, for 
 the guidance of the novices amongst my readers. 
 
WHITE NEUTER "LAUREL SHAH." 
 1st, Crystal Palace, etc., etc. Owner, C. H. Lane. 
 
 To face page 140. 
 
THE LONG-HAIRED CAT 
 
 141 
 
 STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR JUDGING 
 LONG-HAIRED CREAM CATS 
 
 Head, rather small than large 
 Ears, decidedly small and unobtrusive . 
 Eyes, expressive, rather than bold or prominent 
 Legs and feet, not long, and fine in bone 
 Shoulders and chest, with only fair mane and 
 frill ....'..'. 
 
 Brush, and hind quarters, neither very full . 
 Coat, and undercoat, of moderate length 
 Condition, plump, but with no fat or coarse- 
 ness ....... 
 
 Colour, pale drab to be the prominent shade . 
 
 Size for males, about ten pounds ; females, eight 
 
 to nine pounds ..... 
 
 10 Points 
 
 5 
 5 
 5 
 
 10 
 10 
 
 20 
 
 Total 100 Points 
 
CHAPTER XX 
 
 THE LONG-HAIRED CHINCHILLA CAT 
 
 No doubt, the ideal for cats of this colour is the 
 beautiful little animal known as the Chinchilla, a 
 rodent closely allied to the Rabbit tribe, and a native 
 of South America, whose fur has been for many years 
 an article of commerce ; I think almost entirely used 
 for trimmings to female attire, in these and other 
 countries, and probably many of my readers have 
 often seen the graceful little animals in zoological 
 collections, or museums, and so will not require to be 
 told that its fur may be said to be composed of very 
 soft hair, of shades of a delicate grey, interspersed with 
 some black hairs, which give it the effect of a slight 
 ticking on the surface, with lighter shades under- 
 neath. 
 
 I need not say that cats of this colour, correctly 
 coloured, are very beautiful creatures, perhaps equal to, 
 if not superior than, any others, and they have of late 
 years been much in vogue with exhibitors. 
 
 The head is not large, though typical in shape. 
 
 The ears also are small, and almost merged in hair 
 of neck and head. 
 
 142 
 
CHINCHILLA "CH. AMEER." 
 Great Prize Winner. Owner, Hon. Mrs McLaren Morrison. 
 
 To face page 142. 
 
THE LONG-HAIRED CAT 143 
 
 The eyes are large for the size of head, and emerald 
 green in colour, round, but not protruding. 
 
 The feet and legs are fairly long, but not strong in 
 bone. 
 
 The frill is more developed than the mane on chest 
 and shoulders. 
 
 The hind quarters and brush are well covered with 
 soft long hair, but not usually of great dimensions. 
 
 The coat is uniformly thick and abundant all over the 
 back and sides. 
 
 Condition is important, but quality is the main 
 feature. 
 
 The colour is made of greys, light and dark, with 
 delicate black tints on surface. 
 
 The size is about an average of nine pounds ; it is not 
 desirable for specimens to be too large, as this variety, as 
 before remarked, is one that pre-eminently lends itself to 
 the display of quality rather than quantity, and every 
 effort should be made by breeders and I have every 
 reason to believe this is being done to guard against 
 any approach to coarseness and mere size, at the sacrifice 
 of the high position and estimation to which the 
 Chinchilla-coloured long-haired cats have attained in 
 comparatively a short time, and for which exhibitors 
 are mainly indebted to the efforts of a few enthusiastic 
 breeders. 
 
 As I said of the Creams, so I may say of these, 
 I am not aware of any scale for judging them having 
 been hitherto published, and, owing to the fierce 
 discussion which has long been raging as to the 
 
I 4 4 
 
 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 merits and demerits of the various types and shades, 
 favoured by one and the other, I am even more diffident 
 in this case about giving my views as to the 
 
 STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR JUDGING 
 LONG-HAIRED CHINCHILLA CATS 
 
 Head, fairly broad but not large . 
 Ears, small and well placed .... 
 Eyes, round, full and expressive . 
 Legs and feet, light and elegant in shape 
 Chest and shoulders, broad and well clothed . 
 Brush and thighs, covered with long fine hair 
 Coat, soft, delicate in texture, and voluminous 
 Condition, firm, not fat or heavy 
 Colour, pale French grey with dark shadings 
 Size of males to nine pounds ; females to about 
 eight pounds ..... 
 
 10 Points 
 
 5 
 10 
 
 5 
 10 
 
 IO 
 
 15 
 
 IO 
 
 20 
 
 Total 100 Points 
 
 THE LONG-HAIRED BROWN TABBY 
 
 This variety, a prime favourite of mine, and of which 
 I have had several very good specimens at different times, 
 attains, I think, the greatest size of any of the Long Hairs 
 and when in full coat, and correct in its markings, is a very 
 handsome animal. 
 
 The head should be round shaped, broad and 
 massive, well covered with hair at the sides and neck. 
 
 I should have said, by-t he-bye, that nearly, if not 
 
CHINCHILLA "CH. FULMER ZAIDA." 
 One of the best ever exhibited. Owner, Lady Decies. 
 
 To face page 144. 
 
CHINCHILLA " CH. FULMER LORD SOUTHAMPTON.'' 
 Owner, Lady Decies. 
 
 To face page 145. 
 
THE LONG-HAIRED CAT 145 
 
 quite, all the Russian Long-haired Cats I have seen have 
 been of this colour, but they have been less distinctly 
 marked, their coats more woolly in texture, and their tails 
 shorter and thicker than the best Persian specimens, and 
 have not pleased me so much, and I should not advise 
 any of my readers to cross Persians with one of the 
 Russians, for even if they attained increased size, I think 
 it would be more than counterbalanced by coarseness and 
 want of clearness in markings. 
 
 The ears should be small for the size of the head, 
 and quite surrounded with abundance of hair on the 
 upper parts of the head, and furnished with fine hair 
 inside, and at the points. 
 
 The eyes large, round, prominent and orange yellow 
 in colour, with very dignified expression, conveying a 
 deep sense of self-importance. 
 
 The legs and feet large and powerful, but not long 
 enough to give idea of legginess. 
 
 The chest and shoulders should be wide and deep, 
 mane and frill well developed on each. 
 
 The brush should be very profuse and full, and the 
 hind quarters well covered with long hair. 
 
 The coat should be dense and very abundant all 
 over the body, which should be very large and massive, 
 without being loaded with fat. 
 
 Condition is always important, and should comprise 
 hard muscular firmness of flesh with well-groomed coat 
 and graceful outlines of form. 
 
 Colour. The ground should be deep rich brown striped 
 with black. These markings start from a broadish stripe 
 
 K 
 
146 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 of black, more or less defined, along the line of the back 
 bone, which is present to some extent in all the cats 
 with Tabby markings ; the tail is covered with bars, or 
 rings of black, and a line of finer stripes of same colour 
 runs from the forehead, through the ears, and down the 
 neck, where it merges in the bodycoat. One or even 
 two bands of black across the chest are a great ornament 
 and finish. The face is ornamented with flourishes and 
 stripes of black going swirling round the cheeks, which 
 are very effective and peculiar to the Cat tribe, from the 
 tiger downwards ; indeed, a well-marked Tabby has much 
 in common in this respect with his big relation. Size is 
 difficult to define, as I think a Brown Tabby may be as 
 large as you can get him without actual fat or coarseness. I 
 have had them of fourteen and fifteen pounds, and have often 
 seen them much heavier, even approaching twenty pounds, 
 and yet preserving the grace and activity which is part 
 and parcel of the feline race, as we know what wonderful 
 accounts are often given by travellers of the achievements 
 of many of their much larger cousins in foreign climes. 
 
 Therefore I will leave the limit of size open, merely 
 saying I think specimens intended for show purposes 
 should be at least ten pounds if females, or twelve 
 pounds if males. I might add that, for those who desire 
 a cat for the house, as a companion and ornament to the 
 domestic hearth, I do not think they can improve upon a 
 Brown Tabby, which is one of the most homely and com- 
 fortable looking of the feline race, usually of a happy, 
 contented disposition, and very intelligent and sociable. 
 
 This colour, in long and short hairs, has always been 
 
THE LONG-HAIRED CAT 147 
 
 a great favourite with artists, and though it is by no 
 means invariable to find painters of animals so successful 
 with cats as with other subjects, in the majority of cases 
 I have seen, when a cat forms part of a picture, a Brown 
 Tabby has been the sort chosen. 
 
 STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR JUDGING 
 LONG-HAIRED BROWN TABBY CATS 
 
 Head, roundness, breadth, with short face . 10 Points 
 Ears, small for size of head, tufted and tipped 5 
 Eyes, large, round, prominent and orange 
 
 yellow . . . . . .10,, 
 
 Shoulders and chest, wide and deep, well 
 
 marked . . . . . .10,, 
 
 Legs and feet, well boned and powerful . 5 ,, 
 Brush, very bushy ; hind quarters well 
 
 covered . . . . . .10,, 
 
 Coat very profuse all over body, with under- 
 coat . . . . . . . 20 
 
 Condition, hard, muscular and well groomed 10 
 Colour, rich brown ground, with deep black 
 
 markings . . . . . . 15 
 
 Size, as large as possible, not less than twelve 
 
 pounds for males, or ten pounds for females 5 
 
 Total 100 Points 
 
 THE LONG-HAIRED SILVER TABBY CAT 
 This, to my mind, is a very beautiful variety, but 
 
148 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 another which has suffered from the " booming v of the 
 Blues, Creams and Chinchillas, although there is little 
 doubt it has had a good deal to do with the creation of 
 the last-named colour, and many of the Blues and Creams 
 show traces of a Tabby having been in the family 
 genealogical tree at some time or other. 
 
 As a rule Silver Tabbies are not very large, the heads, 
 particularly of the females, being small, but they are 
 usually what are called " pretty cats," and have a youthful, 
 juvenile appearance long after they have passed out of 
 kittenhood. 
 
 Their ears are small, and well hidden in soft silky 
 hair round the upper part of the head and neck. 
 
 The eyes, which should be soft and expressive and 
 bright yellow in colour, are moderately large, and round 
 shaped. 
 
 The chest deep and shoulders fairly wide. As in 
 others of this family, it is a great point to have at least 
 one, I prefer two, stripes or bars of black across the chest 
 from side to side, which gives much character to its appear- 
 ance, and more frill than mane. 
 
 The hind quarters should have plenty of long soft 
 hair upon them, and the brush should be well covered 
 in the same way, but usually not so full as in the other 
 Tabbies. 
 
 The legs and feet are fairly long, but fine in bone, 
 as there should be nothing coarse about a Silver Tabby. 
 
 The coat should be abundant and straight all over 
 the body, which is longer and more lithe in appearance 
 than some of the others. 
 
TORTOISESHELL " LAUREL LULU." 
 Winner many Prizes. Owner, C. H. Lane. 
 
 To face page 149. 
 
THE LONG-HAIRED CAT 149 
 
 Condition should be considered so as to have muscle 
 and activity without too much flesh or approach to 
 coarseness, which would be quite out of place. 
 
 Colour, except that the ground should be a delicate 
 tint of pale grey, is the same in its markings as given for 
 the Brown Tabby. The more pure and clear the grey, 
 and the more intense the black markings, the better the 
 specimen will be if good in other particulars. 
 
 In size I think ten pounds is a fair average weight for 
 males, and eight or nine pounds for females, but I should 
 not object to a little more in either sex if the specimen 
 did not lose in quality ; but what I said of the Creams I may 
 repeat of the Silver Tabbies, that the best I have seen have 
 not been very large cats. 
 
 I have the impression that of late years a club has been 
 formed for this variety alone, and if this be so there will 
 be more encouragement for breeders to bring out high- 
 class specimens, and prevent their being neglected in the 
 rush of other varieties for popular favour. 
 
 STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR JUDGING 
 LONG-HAIRED SILVER TABBIES 
 
 Head, small, round and well shaped . .-. 10 Points 
 Ears, small, unobtrusive, tufted and tipped . 5 ,, 
 
 Eyes, round, fairly large and expressive . 10 
 Chest and shoulders, moderately maned and 
 
 frilled 10 ,, 
 
 Legs and feet, fairly long, but fine in bone . 5 >% 
 
150 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 Brush and hind quarters clothed with long 
 
 soft hair . "' -It. i -;f,t -v * ' . 10 Points 
 Coat and undercoat, deep and fairly abundant 20 
 Condition, muscular, without fat or coarseness 10 ,, 
 Colour, markings same as for Brown Tabbies 
 
 on a ground of pure light grey . V 15 ,, 
 Size, males, ten pounds ; females, eight or 
 
 nine pounds * * ' .';,. . life 5 
 
 Total 100 Points 
 
 THE LONG-HAIRED RED OR ORANGE TABBY CAT 
 
 I think this variety from its colour and appearance is 
 the most like a miniature lion of all the family of domestic 
 cats, and is often a very handsome animal. 
 
 The males especially attain considerable size, and have 
 much style about them. I do not think they are as a rule 
 so friendly with strangers at anyrate as the other Tabbies, 
 and are rather disposed to be masterful in their disposition 
 towards their comrades. 
 
 Sometimes they are seen almost entirely without any 
 Tabby markings, and I think some breeders are trying to 
 produce a strain of this kind, which they term "orange," 
 but I am not sure this has yet been quite accomplished 
 so that they could be relied on to breed true to type, 
 though I think they would be very attractive. 
 
 The head should be very large, round, and furnished 
 with much soft hair at the sides and neck. 
 
 The ears fairly large, often a deeper tint of red than 
 
BeU 
 
 RED TABBY " CH. PUCK. ;1 
 Winner numerous Prizes. Owner, Hon. Mrs McLaren Morrison. 
 
 ORANGE TABBY "CH. GOLDEN BUTTERFLY." 
 Owner, Mrs Dean. 
 
 To face page 150. 
 
THE LONG-HAIRED CAT 151 
 
 the surroundings, with large tufts inside, and well tipped 
 with soft feathery hair. 
 
 The eyes should be very large, round, gold colour 
 tinted with green, and very leonine in expression. 
 
 The chest and shoulders broad and deep, well covered 
 with long, straight, soft hair, forming abundant mane and 
 frill. 
 
 The legs and feet fairly long, strong in bone, and 
 covered to the toes with soft fine hair. 
 
 The brush should be very full and bushy, and the 
 hind quarters clothed with long straight hair, nearly 
 reaching to the knees. 
 
 The coat should be deep and profuse all over the 
 body, which should be large and muscular in its pro- 
 portions. 
 
 The condition should be hard and firm, without mere 
 fat, and the appearance graceful and stately, with a good 
 deal of grandeur about it. 
 
 The colour may be defined to be a pale yellow, with 
 stripes and markings disposed as that described for the 
 Brown Tabby, but of a rich red orange hue. Of course, 
 in those mentioned as " orange cats," the markings are 
 absent, and the prevailing tint is the red orange only, 
 but these are certainly not so often seen as the Red 
 Tabbies, from which they no doubt originate. 
 
 In size the Red or Orange Tabbies frequently are 
 seen as large as any of the long-haired varieties, and 
 specimens scaling fourteen and fifteen pounds are by no 
 means uncommon I mean the males, as the females are 
 not usually so large. 
 
152 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR JUDGING LONG- 
 HAIRED RED OR ORANGE TABBY CATS 
 
 Head, large, round, massive . . .10 Points 
 Ears, fairly large, well tufted and tipped with 
 
 hair .... 5 
 
 Eyes, very large, round, gold with green tint 10 
 Chest and shoulders, wide and deep, well frilled 
 
 and maned . . . . . .10,, 
 
 Legs and feet, strong in bone and muscular . 5 
 Hind quarters well clothed, brush large and 
 
 full 10 
 
 Coat, long and deep all over, with thick under 
 
 coat ....... 20 
 
 Condition, not fat, but hard and muscular .10 
 Colour, clear and distinct Tabby markings of 
 
 rich red on a pale yellowish ground . 15 ,, 
 Size of males to fifteen pounds ; of females to 
 
 eleven or twelve pounds . . 5 ,, 
 
 Total 100 Points 
 
DARK SMOKE " CH. BACKWELL JOGRAM." 
 Winner numerous Pmes. Owner, Mrs H. V, James. 
 
 To face page 153. 
 
CHAPTER XXI 
 
 THE LONG-HAIRED SMOKE CAT 
 
 THIS variety, which personally I admire very much and 
 have had many of them at one time or the other, may be 
 subdivided again into Dark and Light, as there are some 
 which almost look black until their coats are examined, 
 and others that look a greyish blue, but belong to 
 neither of those shades. 
 
 I suppose it is admitted all round that although they 
 now breed pretty true to type, even if Dark and Light be 
 found in one litter, it is one of the manufactured 
 varieties, and that this is probably the reason I have never 
 yet seen in any book about cats a definition of what 
 constitutes a " Smoke," either Short or Long-haired Cat, or 
 any standard for their judging. 
 
 But, as some of my fellow rabbit fanciers may say I 
 have not hesitated to give my ideas of some varieties of 
 their pets which have not appeared before in any book on 
 rabbits, so I will endeavour to convey to my readers 
 amongst cat fanciers my ideas as to what Smokes should 
 be. 
 
 Head, large, round with plenty of hair on the 
 
 '53 
 
154 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 cheeks, face short and moderately broad, neck well 
 covered. 
 
 Ears, rather large, tufted inside but with nothing pro- 
 minent in the way of tipping, and the colour of the dark 
 parts of the body. 
 
 Eyes should be very large and prominent ; orange in 
 colour for the Dark, and orange yellow for the Light 
 shades of Smoke, lustrous and expressive. 
 
 Shoulders and chest covered with abundance of long 
 straight hair, forming profuse mane and frill. 
 
 Legs and feet moderate in length, but muscular and 
 strong in bone. 
 
 Brush very full and bushy ; hind quarters muscular, 
 large, and clothed with plenty of long straight hair. 
 
 Coat voluminous all over, reaching nearly to the 
 ground at sides when in full feather, with dense under- 
 coat. 
 
 Condition, hard, firm and muscular without superflu- 
 ous flesh ; body not so long or flat in appearance as in 
 some varieties perhaps cobbiness would express my 
 meaning. 
 
 In size there is usually much difference in the sexes, 
 for while the males often approach twelve to fourteen 
 pounds, the females may average from eight to ten 
 pounds, but I think rarely exceed the latter weight. 
 
 Colour is of much importance in this variety, for 
 though some may fancy a bad black is a Dark Smoke, 
 and a bad blue a Light Smoke, this is not my 
 view. 
 
 I think each is made up of two distinct shades, the 
 
K 2 
 
 u 
 
 a 
 
 I! cj 
 O 
 
THE LONG-HAIRED CAT 155 
 
 Dark being almost black on the surface with a shade 
 underneath, easily seen by blowing or parting the hair, 
 of real smoke colour ; and the Light is almost blue on 
 the surface, and a delicate light grey of the shade known 
 as French grey underneath. All the points or ex- 
 tremities, such as face, ears, legs, feet and brush, should 
 mainly appear of the darkest shade of the coat. 
 
 The general effect of these cats is very pleasing at 
 least that is my view of them and they, particularly those 
 entitled to be classed as Dark Smokes, always give me the 
 impression of bearing a strong resemblance to a sheikh, 
 in the picturesque contrast those Eastern folk offer in 
 their peculiar garb ; and I remember how much I was 
 fascinated with the first specimen of the variety which 
 came under my notice at a show many years since, where 
 I was an exhibitor and I was pleased to see the judge, 
 whose name I do not remember, give him first prize in a 
 large mixed class of all kinds of long-haired cats. 
 
 One of my Crystal Palace winners is given as an 
 illustration of this variety ; also, a well-known Champion. 
 
 STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR JUDGING 
 LONG-HAIRED SMOKE CATS 
 
 Head, large, round, with short, broad face .10 Points 
 Ears, rather full and open, tufted, but not 
 
 much tipping to the points . . . 5 
 Eyes, prominent, large, round and intelligent ; 
 orange for Dark, yellow orange for 
 Light *. . . ;.' . v 10 
 
156 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 Chest and shoulders, broad, deep, and the 
 
 former of the lighter shades of coat . , 5 Points 
 
 Legs and feet, not long, but powerful and 
 
 well boned . *. . . >.; . 5 
 
 Hind quarters, muscular and long-haired; 
 brush, very large and profuse, partaking 
 of both shades . .. . . . 10 ,, 
 
 Coat, profuse all over body, coming well down 
 over sides with long soft hair in abun- 
 dance . . . v-i , . 20 ,, 
 
 Condition, hard and muscular, not flat-sided . 10 
 
 Colour, nearly black outside, light smoke 
 under in the Dark, and pure blue out- 
 side and pale grey under in the Light . 20 ,, 
 
 Size, males, twelve to fourteen pounds ; 
 females, eight to ten pounds, in both 
 shades c 
 
 Total IOQ Points 
 
 THE TORTOISESHELL LONG-HAIRED CAT 
 
 Many contend that this is not a proper colour for a 
 long-haired cat of any kind, and that it is never seen in 
 the countries from whence they originally came. 
 
 I am very much inclined to believe in the truth of 
 this contention, but the fact remains that we have the 
 cats, and I must plead guilty to having owned and taken 
 many prizes with cats of this colour, but I am not much 
 enamoured of them all the same, and I think every one 
 

 SILVER TABBY "CH. ABDUL HAMET OF DINGLEY." 
 Owner, Miss Leake. 
 
 face page 156. 
 
 SILVER TABBY" CH. THAMES VALLEY SILVER KING." 
 Noted Winner everywhere. Owner, Miss Derby-Hyde. 
 
THE LONG-HAIRED CAT 157 
 
 that I had were presents from friends who wanted to find 
 homes for favourites they were unable to keep. 
 
 Although I have not tried the experiment, I have 
 been told by breeders that they have bred excellent Blues 
 from a Tortoiseshell dam with a Blue sire ; but though I 
 have bred good Whites from a Black dam, and many 
 Blacks of pure colour from a Tortoiseshell dam with a 
 Red Tabby sire, I should have thought to attempt Blues 
 in same way with a Blue sire would be rather speculative. 
 
 Be this as it may, I am assured it is a fact that some 
 breeders keep Tortoiseshell females entirely for their use 
 in breeding operations. 
 
 As such a thing as even a long-haired Tortoiseshell 
 male is rarely seen, my remarks on what I think they 
 should be must be taken to apply to the females only. 
 
 The head should be only of moderate size, fairly 
 broad across the forehead, and fringed with soft hair. 
 
 The ears rather full and large, with tufts inside, but 
 not much feathering at tips. 
 
 The eyes large, full, lustrous in expression and orange 
 in colour. 
 
 The shoulders and chest well provided with long 
 mane and frill of soft straight hair, and wide and deep 
 in themselves. 
 
 The legs and feet rather long but fine in bone and 
 elegant in shape. 
 
 The brush fairly full and bushy, but not very large, 
 and hind quarters covered with long hair. 
 
 The coat plentiful all over, but not of great length ; 
 more so at the sides than on the upper part. 
 
158 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 The condition firm, but lithe and active in general 
 appearance, without great muscular power. 
 
 The colour should be as like a tortoiseshell comb as 
 possible, made up of yellows, blacks and reds in due pro- 
 portions, neither predominating too much, but the whole 
 giving a pleasing effect. 
 
 The size should be from eight to ten pounds. I 
 think the latter will be found the limit weight. 
 
 STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR JUDGING 
 LONG-HAIRED TORTOISESHELL CATS 
 
 Head, round, not too large, and fairly broad 10 Points 
 
 Ears, rather large, and with open carriage . ... 5 
 
 Eyes, full and large, round and orange yellow 10 ,, 
 Chest and shoulders, wide and deep, well 
 
 covered . . ^ r , . . ... : . 5 
 
 Legs and feet, fine in bone, and rather long , 5 
 Brush, not very large ; hind quarters, fully 
 
 clothed ....'. ; . 10 ,, 
 
 Coat, profuse over body, more so at sides ^,._- 15 
 Condition, plump, without being fat, and 
 
 lightness and elegance a prevailing feature 10 ,, 
 Colour, mingling of the three prescribed 
 
 shades, without any white at all . . ... 25 
 Size, from eight to ten pounds, latter rarely 
 
 exceeded W. . . .. C ., 
 
 Total 100 Points 
 
f? 
 
 GREY TABBY "CH. LAUREL LEOPOLD." 
 1st, Crystal Palace, etc., etc. Owner, C. H. Lane. 
 
 To face page 158. 
 
THE LONG-HAIRED CAT 159 
 
 ANY OTHER VARIETY OF LONG-HAIRED CATS 
 
 As I have dealt in the foregoing sketches with all the 
 colours for which classes are provided at even the 
 largest shows, those remaining to be noticed will be some 
 of the same, varied with white markings. 
 
 These will be Black and White, Blue and White, 
 Tabby and White, and Tortoiseshell and White, of which 
 the Tabby and White are by far the most numerous, as they 
 include Brown, Silver, Red and Grey, Tabby and White. 
 
 It will not be necessary to say anything about the 
 formation of the animals, as in each case that will be the 
 same as for the main colour in the coat. 
 
 Uniformity of markings is very important, and the 
 general rule as to this may be described as follows : 
 
 The upper part of the head should be of the main colour, 
 while a white blaze should run up the face between the 
 eyes and comprising the mouth and chin, with white chest, 
 fore feet, and the lower parts of the hind feet. No spots 
 or splashes of white should be in the main colour anywhere. 
 
 Attention should be paid to the character of the main 
 colour of each specimen ; that is, the Black, White, 
 Blue, or Smoke should be pure, and whole coloured, not 
 patchy or smudged, and the .Tabbies and Tortoiseshells 
 should be good of their several varieties. Of course it 
 will sometimes happen that specimens make their appear- 
 ance, spotted, barred or striped, not coming strictly 
 under any of the above descriptions, but in such 
 cases they must be judged on their merits after com- 
 parison with the other competitors. 
 
160 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 I am not much inclined to favour any of the cats with 
 white markings for exhibition purposes except perhaps 
 Tortoiseshell and White, which are often very pretty and 
 I know many breeders will not have them at any price. 
 
 I think those having the best chance at a show are the 
 Red Tabby and White, and the Tortoiseshell and White, 
 both of which are often very pretty animals. Next to them 
 come perhaps the Brown and Grey Tabbies and White, 
 and the Silver Tabby and White ; then the Black and 
 White, though I have seldom seen specimens of this 
 variety correctly marked ; and lastly the Blue and Smoke 
 and White. 
 
 Unless the Self Whites, all cats, in my opinion, are 
 more valuable either for sale or exhibition if entirely 
 without white markings. 
 
 STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR JUDGING ANY OTHER 
 VARIETY OF LONG-HAIRED CATS 
 
 Head . 10 Points 
 
 Ears ... 5 ,, 
 
 Eyes . 10 
 
 Chest and shoulders . . . . .10,, 
 
 Legs and feet . . . . . 5 ,, 
 
 Brush and hind quarters . . . 5 
 
 Coat . . . . . . 20 
 
 Condition and appearance . . . .10,, 
 
 Colour and uniformity of markings . .20 ,, 
 
 Size, following main colour . . . 5 ,, 
 
 Total 100 Points 
 
S .^<u 
 
 a -a 
 
 H .^jj 
 
 ill 
 
CHAPTER XXII 
 
 THE SHORT-HAIRED BLACK CAT 
 
 CONTRARY to the popular opinion, what I should call a 
 real black cat is not by any means an everyday specimen 
 to be met with. Scores of times I have been told of grand 
 black cats, which when they came to be handled were not 
 all black, but had a white speck somewhere, either on the 
 neck, chin, chest, or one of the feet, and even at the tip of 
 the tail. 
 
 Numbers of the colour fail in their eyes, in respect of 
 size, shape, and especially their colour. I think I am not 
 overstepping the mark if I say not one black cat in a 
 hundred is perfect in this point. 
 
 One of the best I ever saw belonged to a friend of 
 mine, a well-known fancier ; it was a stray, " come by 
 chance," of whose previous history nothing was known, 
 but when it was offered to him my friend planked down 
 five sovereigns for it without any hesitation, though I 
 expect it was the highest price ever reached for a short- 
 haired black cat, and I saw it again and again with first 
 and special prize cards on its pen. 
 
 Another point in which this variety is often defective 
 is the tail, which should be moderately long and fairly 
 L 161 
 
1 62 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 substantial ; a thin, lanky tail is an abomination, and 
 should be avoided ; I think it is more often met with in 
 female specimens, but is most objectionable in either sex. 
 
 The head, especially in the males, should be fairly 
 large, round, and broad across the forehead, not too long 
 in face nor mean in muzzle, well cheeked, and with a 
 dignified bearing. 
 
 The ears should be fairly large and broad where they 
 spring from the head, and carried erect and open. 
 
 The eyes are of more importance than in most 
 varieties, as they are so often seen a pale yellowish green, 
 but should be a deep orange, or yolk-like yellow, large, 
 round, and imperious in expression. 
 
 The body should be well-knit and powerful in shape, 
 combining strength and activity. 
 
 The neck rather short and strong, with wide shoulders 
 and broad chest. 
 
 The legs rather long and well boned, with small round 
 feet. 
 
 The tail of moderate length and of tapering thickness 
 from the root to the tip. 
 
 The coat should be deep and close lying, soft to the 
 touch and shining to the eye, perhaps sleek is an expressive 
 term for it. 
 
 The colour should be pure glossy, not sooty black, with- 
 out a spot or mark anywhere, having almost a bloom on it. 
 
 Condition should be hard and muscular, without fat, 
 and general appearance of activity and alertness. 
 
 Size of males to twelve pounds ; females, to eight 
 pounds. 
 

 WHITE U CH. BALLOCHMYLE BILLIE BLUE EYES." 
 Four Championships, many First Prizes. Owner, Lady Alexander. 
 
 To face page 163. 
 
THE SHORT-HAIRED CAT 
 
 163 
 
 STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR JUDGING 
 SHORT-HAIRED BLACK CATS 
 
 Head . 
 
 Ears ...... 
 
 Eyes ...... 
 
 Body 
 
 Legs and feet 
 
 Tail . ... . . : . . 
 
 Coat . ... , . * 
 
 Colour . . 
 
 Condition and general appearance. 
 
 Size . 
 
 , ; . 10 Points 
 
 v 5 
 
 ,v J 5 
 
 ,. 10 
 
 ;'fe /V ' 5 
 
 * X j> 
 
 '. 10 
 
 . 20 
 
 .IO 
 
 r 
 
 Total 100 Points 
 
 THE SHORT-HAIRED WHITE CAT 
 
 This is a great favourite with the writer, who for 
 some years had probably the best team of the colour, 
 with the desired blue eyes, ever seen in the possession of 
 one owner, and they took prizes wherever shown. 
 
 He also had a neuter of the same colour, a very fine 
 specimen, scaling fifteen pounds when in form, who took 
 first prize in his class, five years in succession, at the 
 Crystal Palace Cat Shows ; and was so perfect in other 
 respects that, but for his eyes being amber colour, instead 
 of blue, would have been <c a hard nut to crack " for the 
 best short-haired cats of any colour. This cat and one 
 of the writer's champions are two of the illustrations 
 herewith given. As I have said of the long-haired Whites, 
 
164 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 so I may say of this variety, it is not unusual to find 
 partial or total deafness amongst them, and any intending 
 purchasers should satisfy themselves in this matter 
 before concluding negotiations. 
 
 I always fancy I can tell by their countenance if 
 they have this affliction, but it is well to make sure 
 before purchasing, as a deaf cat is often a nuisance, and 
 seldom much good as a mouser. 
 
 The head should be fairly big, very rounded in shape ; 
 not very short in face ; broad across the upper part of the 
 head, and deep in muzzle. 
 
 The ears, rather large, and wide at base, very open to 
 the front, and carried bolt upright. 
 
 The eyes, which should match in size and colour, 
 should be large, full, very intelligent and wide awake in 
 expression, and of turquoise blue in shade. 
 
 The body should not be very long, but moderately 
 thick in shape, with rounded sides and limbs. 
 
 The legs should be longish and fairly strong in bone, 
 with round small feet. 
 
 The tail rather thick than lanky, and carried with a 
 curve below the line of the back. 
 
 The coat should be short and deep, fine and glossy 
 in texture, with dense undercoat. 
 
 The colour should be pure flake white, without any 
 tint or shade in it. 
 
 The condition should be firm and compact, with a 
 comfortable general appearance and aspect. 
 
 Size of males to ten or eleven pounds ; females, seven 
 to eight pounds. 
 
WHITE "CH. LAUREL EMPEROR.' 
 Winner numerous Prizes. Owner, C. H. Lane. 
 
 To face page 1 64. 
 

 WHITE, NEUTER " LAURE 
 Winner nineteen First Prizes, Crystal Palace, etc 
 
 e C ^- Lane, 
 
 To fa 
 
 164. 
 
THE SHORT-HAIRED CAT 165 
 
 I should have said, in my experience I have rarely 
 met with a bad-tempered cat of this colour, they are 
 usually very sociable, and make charming cats for the 
 house, and, as a rule, keep themselves wonderfully 
 clean. 
 
 Of course, for exhibition purposes they may require 
 extra attention, but generally it will be found that a 
 good drenching of the coat with fine flour, which may be 
 done with an ordinary kitchen dredger, and afterwards 
 brushing it carefully out, will give all the cleansing 
 required, and give less risk of cold by washing, which is 
 often a very troublesome operation with cats. 
 
 The illustrations to this sketch are Champions 
 Ballochmyle, Billie Blue Eyes, Laurel Emperor and 
 Laurel Leonidas, the latter both belonging to the 
 writer, and winners of numerous prizes at all the best 
 shows. The last named was one of the largest white 
 short-haired cats ever shown. 
 
 STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR JUDGING 
 SHORT-HAIRED WHITE CATS 
 
 Head 10 Points 
 
 Ears. . 5 
 
 Eyes. . . 15 
 
 Body ........ 10 
 
 Legs and feet ...... 5 
 
 Tail . . , 5 
 
 Coat . . . . . 10 
 
 Colour 25 
 
1 66 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 Condition and general appearance . . 10 Points 
 
 5 
 
 Total 100 Points 
 
 THE SHORT-HAIRED BLUE CAT 
 
 I think there is no difference of opinion that this 
 variety came originally from Russia, but it is now quite 
 acclimatised, and breeds freely in this country, though I 
 should not consider it common. 
 
 It always strikes me, both in its colour and ways, as 
 having more of the wild animal about it than any other of 
 the domestic cats. 
 
 It is usually very quiet and undemonstrative in 
 manner, and not particularly sociable, but I have not 
 found it bad - tempered, more what I should call 
 reserved. 
 
 A well-shaped, even-coloured specimen of this variety 
 generally gets into the first three, in a class of all kinds 
 of short-haired cats, and also stands a good chance in a 
 class for Self-coloured Short Hairs, or Short-haired Foreign 
 Cats. 
 
 At many of the larger shows classes are provided for 
 Short-haired Blues, when it may be observed how 
 many different shades there are of this very neutral colour, 
 and, unless divided by sex, how much smaller the females 
 are than the males. 
 
 I have known more than one instance of blue kittens, 
 
BLUE "CH. BALLOCHMYLE BROTHER BUMP." 
 Four Championships, many First Prizes. Owner, Lady Alexander. 
 
 BLUE " BALLOCHMYLE BLUE QUEEN." 
 1st, Crystal Palace ; 1st, Westminster, etc., etc. Owner, Lady Alexander. 
 
 To face page 167. 
 
THE SHORT-HAIRED CAT 167 
 
 being born to British bred and born cats, without any 
 known trace of Russian blue blood in their veins, but I 
 always think they fail in type, though fairly correct in 
 colour. They are often mean and pinched in muzzle, and 
 with a different expression of countenance, to that 
 noticeable in those whose ancestors were imported 
 specimens. 
 
 The head should be round, fairly large in males, but 
 much smaller in females, broad and well-filled-out cheeks, 
 and rather short face and dark nose. 
 
 The ears rather large, full and open, wider than most 
 of the Short Hairs. 
 
 The eyes should be large, round, rather sleepy in ex- 
 pression, and orange yellow in colour. 
 
 The body should be closely knit, compact and rounded 
 in its outlines, not very long, and without flat appearance 
 at the sides. 
 
 Legs and feet rather short than long, and muscular. 
 
 The tail inclined to be short and substantial. 
 
 The coat should be short, dense and close lying, 
 giving a sleek appearance. 
 
 The colour should be a slaty plum - coloured blue, 
 and should be even all over, without tints or marks ; 
 in very light-coloured specimens the eyes may be 
 yellow. 
 
 Condition should be hard and workmanlike, and the 
 appearance always conveys the idea to me of a diminutive 
 specimen of the Puma. 
 
 Size of males, eight to ten pounds ; of females, about 
 six to eight pounds. 
 
1 68 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR JUDGING 
 SHORT-HAIRED BLUE CATS 
 
 Head . .... ; . . 
 
 10 Points 
 
 Ears. . . .. 5. . 
 
 - 5 
 
 Eyes . . ... 
 
 . 10 
 
 Body. . . ... 
 
 . 10 
 
 Legs and feet .... 
 
 - 5 
 
 Tail 
 
 5 ^ 
 
 Coat ...... 
 
 . 20 
 
 Colour . . 
 
 25 
 
 Condition and general appearance 
 
 r 
 
 Size . . . 
 
 5 ,, 
 
 
 Total 100 Points 
 
CHAPTER XXIII 
 
 THE SHORT-HAIRED RED TABBY CAT 
 
 THIS variety is remarkable in two ways : the males are 
 usually the only mates available for Tortoiseshell and 
 Tortoiseshell and White females, for those desiring to 
 perpetuate either of those two colours ; and females of 
 this variety free from white markings are considered 
 more scarce than those of any other kind of female short- 
 haired cat. 
 
 For some reason, which I have never heard explained, 
 the best short-haired Tabbies Red, Brown and Silver 
 seem to have emanated from the North of England, Lan- 
 cashire, Durham and Yorkshire in particular, and many 
 of the greatest prize-winners of the past, as well as most 
 of the best known now, appear to have come from these 
 counties. 
 
 A really well-marked Red Tabby, in good form, is a 
 very handsome animal, and worthy of admiration. 
 
 The illustrations to this sketch are Champion Balloch- 
 myle Perfection, the property of Lady Alexander, and 
 probably one of the best ever exhibited ; the other, Lord 
 Rufus, a great winner, was first exhibited at a small show 
 in Wiltshire, where he was claimed by the Rev. D. G. 
 
 169 
 
170 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 Truss, and some time afterwards came into the possession 
 of the writer, who had him for some years. 
 
 The head should be fairly large, well rounded in shape, 
 not long in face, and tolerably strong in muzzle and throat. 
 
 The ears should be rather small, carried erect, with a 
 forward turn, not very wide at base, clean cut and neat. 
 
 The eyes should be large, round, bold in expression 
 and yellow in colour. 
 
 The legs and feet : the former should be rather long 
 and well boned, the latter round and small. 
 
 The body should be deep in chest, but lengthy in 
 barrel, and rather narrow across the back and hind quarters. 
 
 The tail should be long, but not thin, tapering towards 
 the tip, and marked with rings throughout. 
 
 The coat should be fine, dense and sleek, not long 
 anywhere, and have a glossy appearance. 
 
 The colour is composed of a rich creamy yellow 
 ground, barred and striped with rich red, sometimes 
 nearly as deep as chocolate, and disposed in much the 
 same way as on the Bengal tiger, which may be looked 
 upon as the c< Emperor of Tabby cats." 
 
 The ground colour and the markings should each 
 be as clear and distinct as possible, and unmixed with any 
 other shade or tint, and the difficulty of obtaining this 
 is the reason high-class specimens of this variety are so 
 scarce and valuable. 
 
 Condition should be firm as to flesh, glossy as to 
 coat, and appearance that of an active, alert animal. 
 
 Size varies a good deal in the sexes ; for while males 
 of twelve pounds and over are not uncommon, the females 
 
RED TABBY "CH. BALLOCHMYLE PERFECTION." 
 Winner of two Gold Medals, 100 First Prizes, etc. Owner, Lady Alexander. 
 
 RED TABBY, NEUTER " LORD RUFUS." 
 Winner many Prizes and Specials. Owner, C. II. Lane. 
 To face page \ 70. 
 
THE SHORT-HAIRED CAT 171 
 
 may not average more than from eight to ten pounds, 
 and probably the majority will not exceed the first-named 
 weight. 
 
 I consider both sexes of this variety are keen vermin 
 killers as a rule, not confining their attention to rats 
 and mice only, but engaging with weasels, stoats, and 
 even polecats, if they come in their way. 
 
 They are all right with people they know, but I have 
 not found them very sociable with strangers, nor are they 
 disposed to be friendly towards other people's cats who may 
 trespass on what they look upon as their domain, and a 
 word followed by a blow is generally their order of battle ; 
 and it takes a good warrior, of any variety of cat to <c take 
 down " an adult male Red Tabby fairly on his mettle. 
 
 STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR JUDGING 
 SHORT-HAIRED RED TABBY CATS 
 
 Head . . . . . . .10 Points 
 
 Ears . . . 5 
 
 Eyes . . . . . . . 10 5 , 
 
 Body 10 
 
 Legs and feet ...... 5 ,, 
 
 Tail 5 
 
 Coat 10 
 
 Colour . . . . . . . 25 
 
 Condition and general appearance . 15 ,, 
 
 Size ........ 5 ,, 
 
 Total 100 Points 
 
172 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 THE SHORT-HAIRED SILVER TABBY CAT 
 
 Although it is very rare to see specimens of this 
 variety attain great size, I think they are very pretty 
 animals, and generally admired. 
 
 I think I have had more of them than anyone else I 
 remember, in the South or West of England, and for 
 many years could bench or pen the best team of the 
 colour probably ever seen in the possession of one owner, 
 comprising a champion of each sex, and three or four 
 runners up. 
 
 I won scores of prizes with those at all the best shows, 
 and there were no short-haired cats better known ; one 
 of them, a female, own sister to Mrs George Herring's 
 Jimmy, was, I should imagine, the best female short-haired 
 cat ever exhibited. 
 
 Her brother was a very handsome cat, took numerous 
 prizes, and was the only cat I remember taking the Gold 
 Medal of the National Cat Club, at the Crystal Palace 
 Show, as c< best Cat, Long or Short-haired," in the show. 
 
 On several occasions his sister was put over him, and 
 it was always a close thing between them, but they were 
 both so good, it was almost a case of condition. 
 
 Miss Moore had a nice female, Jenny, who was 
 put over mine once or twice, I think they were aunt and 
 niece, but she was nothing like so correct in points, nor 
 did she show herself off so well. 
 
 I think Champion Jimmy, Miss Moore's Jenny, and my 
 own Laurel King, who was her son and a champion like her- 
 self, were the only three "in the same street" with Champion 
 
SILVER TABBY " CH. JIMMY." 
 
 Gold and Silver Medals and Specials innumerable. Champion Short-Haired 
 Male Cat. Owner, Mrs Louisa Herring. 
 
 To face page 173 
 
SILVER TABBY "CH. LAUREL KING." 
 Two Gold Medals, Cup, many First Prizes, etc. Owner, C. II. Lane. 
 
 'to face page 173. 
 
THE SHORT-HAIRED CAT 173 
 
 Laurel Queen, who had the grace and style of her mother, 
 Jenny, that came to me from the late Herbert Young of 
 Harrogate, who was quite an enthusiast about cats, and 
 a very skilful breeder of them, and he told me he had 
 her from Mr Sugden of Withnell, near Chorley, Yorkshire, 
 and her beautiful colour and clear markings she took from 
 her sire, Champion King of the Fancy, of whose off- 
 spring I never saw a bad specimen, but I think he was 
 seldom shown. Laurel Prince, Laurel Silvie and Silver 
 Star were others of high quality, who took numbers of 
 prizes, but with three champions of the variety well to the 
 fore, and all often shown, they had not that chance of 
 getting to the top of the tree which has been afforded 
 since. I hope to give, with this sketch, reproductions of 
 the portraits of Champions Jimmy and Laurel Queen, 
 brother and sister, and Champion Laurel King, son of 
 last named, as representative specimens of the variety. 
 
 I believe it is not only unique in the fact that the 
 three champions were closely related, brother, sister, 
 nephew, and had taken more and better prizes than any 
 three short-haired cats living or ever seen, but that it 
 was the only instance on record where there were three 
 champions in existence at the same time of any variety 
 of short-haired cat ; and I do not remember a case since, 
 but I am not positive about this. 
 
 I have owned and seen many Silver Tabbies since, but 
 none quite as good as those three, in all of which it 
 was much easier to point out a beauty than to find a 
 defect. 
 
 There is nearly always much difference in the sizes 
 
174 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 of the sexes, and while the males are fairly big cats, the 
 females are mostly on the small side. 
 
 The head should not be large or coarse, fairly short 
 in face, not pinched in muzzle, and with rounded cheeks. 
 
 The ears of medium size, narrow and rounded at top, 
 broader below. 
 
 The eyes round shaped, rather full and brilliant, very 
 intelligent in expression, deep bright yellow in colour. 
 
 Legs and feet longish, fine in bone, and feet small 
 and neat. 
 
 Body rather long in barrel and flat in sides, fairly deep 
 in chest, but not wide across shoulders. 
 
 Tail longish, but not too thin. 
 
 Coat, short, fine, glossy, and soft feeling. 
 
 Condition and general appearance, firm and compact, 
 with no superfluous flesh, muscular and lithe, giving 
 promise of great vivacity of temperament and activity. 
 
 Size, perhaps twelve pounds would be a high average 
 for males, and about eight pounds for females. I have 
 seen males of this colour closely approaching twenty 
 pounds, but in all such cases they have lost by being 
 coarse, and were generally fat ; but I never remember 
 seeing a female exceeding ten pounds, and I am sure 
 they rarely come up to that weight. 
 
 I should perhaps add that where so many Silver 
 Tabbies fail is in their ground colour not being clear and 
 pure, free from any tint, and the black markings not 
 intense enough. 
 
 I have left the speaking of the desired colour to the 
 last ; the ground should be a sort of pale lavender shade of 
 
/po/ 23 'e/,6. 
 
 SILVER TABBY "CH. LAUREL QUEEN." 
 
 Two Gold and many Silver Medals, thirty-five Specials, hundreds of First Prizes 
 everywhere. Champion Female Short-hair Cat of the World ! Owner, 
 C. H. Lane. 
 
 To face page 174. 
 
THE SHORT-HAIRED CAT 175 
 
 French grey, all over, with Tabby markings of pure black 
 on the face, head, chest, back, sides and tail, precisely as 
 set out for the other Tabby marked cats ; the ground 
 between the stripes should be broader than they 
 are, or they will appear too dark in colour, and the 
 marks on face, forehead and chest should be distinct and 
 clear. 
 
 STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR JUDGING 
 SHORT-HAIRED SILVER TABBY CATS 
 
 Head . . . .. < ;;*~ ^. <, 10 Points 
 Ears . 5 
 
 Eyes. . . .5 
 
 Body and shape . .; . ,v .- ;.:: 10 
 
 Legs and feet . :^; r . . , >' 5 
 
 Tail . . |ft O."i: ;* . . -V 5 
 
 Coat . . . ? . ju;<- n, i . .<.. IO 
 
 Size . . . v- r >X' . . . * 10 
 Condition and appearance . . . 15 
 
 Colour and markings . . . ^., 25 
 
 Total 100 Points 
 
 THE SHORT-HAIRED BROWN TABBY CAT 
 
 Everyone thinks they know, and have often seen, a 
 specimen of this variety, and many fondly fancy "they 
 have one at home, quite as good as the one that has taken 
 a prize at the show," for I have often heard them say so, 
 
176 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 in quite a loud voice, at the show, but did not believe it 
 any the more for that ! 
 
 In fact, real Brown Tabbies are comparatively rare, 
 and when you find one good one, you will discover at 
 least fifty not up to the mark. 
 
 I think the best Brown Tabby that has been brought 
 out for many years was the late Champion Xenophon, the 
 property of Lady Decies, and I have always thought I did 
 a foolish thing in refusing the offer of him, long before 
 her ladyship ever heard of him, when I could have had 
 him for less than a quarter of the price for which he was 
 afterwards sold to a friend of mine. 
 
 It so happened, I had a lot of cats, some thirty or 
 forty I think, at the time, and was not anxious for more, 
 and so missed my chance ; and although, whenever they 
 met, whether at the Crystal Palace, or any other large 
 shows, my Brown Tabby, Laurel Quar, who was really 
 a better brown in colour than he, but lost to him in size 
 and general appearance, had to play second fiddle as long 
 as he remained in the band ; it would have been more 
 satisfactory to have owned both, when I could have made 
 each a champion, as I held the winning cards, with two 
 champions in Whites and the same in Silver Tabbies, 
 which were the only two varieties to be much feared. 
 
 I am pleased, however, that Xenophon got into good 
 and appreciative hands, in both his late owners, and that he 
 had a thoroughly good time. 
 
 I am glad to give the reproduction of a capital portrait 
 of him, as I think, taking him all round, he was the best 
 specimen of the variety I can call to mind ; I mean with 
 
BROWN TABBY" CH. FULMER XKNOPHON." 
 Best Brown Tabby ever exhibited. Owner, Lady Decies. 
 
 BROWN TABBY " LAUREL QUAR." 
 Winner numerous First and Second Prizes, Crystal Palace, etc. Owner, C. H. Lane. 
 
 7i? face bage 1 ; 
 
THE SHORT-HAIRED CAT 177 
 
 less faults and more beauties ; and when in form I would 
 have taken him in preference to anyone else's cat (of course, 
 not including my own) in the show, although, that is what 
 our American cousins would call "rather a large order/' 
 
 Now, to give my views about this variety. As long as 
 it is not coarse, I like the head large and massive, well 
 rounded at sides, fairly long in face, strong in muzzle, and 
 broad across forehead. 
 
 Ears of medium size, wide at base, narrowing and 
 rounded at tips. 
 
 Eyes very full and brilliant, orange yellow in colour, 
 with a glint of green within ; very expressive. 
 
 Body large and powerful in build, being long and 
 deep, with broad chest and shoulders. 
 
 Legs strong and with plenty of bone ; feet not large, 
 and round shaped. 
 
 Tail long rather than short, but very thick at root, 
 with gradual tapering towards the tip. 
 
 Coat should be moderately long, dense and close, with 
 a glossy appearance to it. 
 
 Condition should be hard, fine and muscular. 
 Appearance that of an active but powerful animal, with 
 a due sense of self-importance about it, and a great deal 
 of style. 
 
 Size, males up to twenty pounds ; perhaps twelve to 
 fifteen pounds a good average ; females, from eight to 
 eleven pounds, more to be seen within than exceeding 
 those limits. 
 
 Colour to be as rich in the brown colouring of the 
 ground as possible, and the black stripes, bars and curves 
 
 M 
 
I 7 8 
 
 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 to be as intense in shade as obtainable, the one or two 
 stripes across chest, forming the Lord Mayor's chain, in 
 particular should be much in evidence. 
 
 When one has the opportunity of seeing a downright 
 first-class specimen of this variety, it is a thing, in the words 
 of the late Captain Cuttle, " to be made a note of." 
 
 The illustrations to this sketch are portraits of 
 Champion Xenophon and the writer's Laurel Quar, two of 
 the best specimens of the variety seen for many years. 
 
 STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR JUDGING 
 SHORT-HAIRED BROWN TABBY CATS 
 
 Head 
 
 Ears 
 
 Eyes ...... 
 
 Body and shape ..... 
 
 Legs and feet ..... 
 
 Tail. ; 
 
 Coat 
 
 Condition and appearance . 
 
 Size ....... 
 
 Colour and markings .... 
 
 Total 100 Points 
 
 IO 
 
 Points 
 
 5 
 
 ,, 
 
 IO 
 
 5 
 
 IO 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 35 
 
 5 
 
 J5 
 
 IO 
 
 5) 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 IO 
 
 5) 
 
 2 5 
 
 5) 
 
 THE SPOTTED TABBY SHORT-HAIRED CAT 
 
 As far as my experience goes, this is by far the least 
 common of all the Tabbies, and correctly - marked 
 specimens are very rarely seen. I am bound to say they 
 
THE SHORT-HAIRED CAT 179 
 
 do not receive much encouragement, as at very few shows 
 indeed do they have classes provided for them, and even 
 then nearly always have to be shown all together. 
 
 The title of each depends on the ground colour of the 
 coat. There are Brown, Grey, Silver and Red- Spotted 
 Tabbies, of which I fancy the last is most often seen, but 
 generally fails in the brightness and distinctness of its 
 spots, and the ground is often a washy pale yellow, which 
 gives a blurred look to the coat. 
 
 A really well-marked Spotted Tabby, especially that 
 called Silver, is a very pretty animal, but too rarely seen. 
 
 The head should be small, medium in size, neither 
 short in face nor pinched in muzzle. 
 
 The ears standing well open to the front, rounded at 
 tips and not too wide at base. 
 
 The eyes round, full, and intelligent-looking, and in 
 colour follow the rules laid down for the several Tabbies. 
 
 The body rather long and flat-sided, not heavy 
 limbed, but light and active in build. 
 
 The legs rather long than short, the feet small and 
 compact. 
 
 The tail long and gracefully carried, tapering to the 
 end, but not thin or skinny-looking. 
 
 The coat should be short, fine, close lying and glossy 
 in appearance and feeling soft to the touch. 
 
 The condition should be firm, moderately muscular, 
 and the general aspect elegant and graceful in outlines. 
 
 The size of males may average ten pounds, and of 
 females about eight pounds, but I do not object to a little 
 more in each, provided type and quality are present. 
 
i8o RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 The colour is of course very important ; whatever the 
 ground may be, all the markings everywhere should be 
 mainly composed of distinct and well-defined spots, which, 
 except in the case of the Spotted Red Tabby, when they 
 are a deep rich red, should be nearly black, and the more 
 they approach this shade the better will be the general 
 effect. 
 
 A great many specimens may be seen with stripes and 
 spots, but these are not what are wanted, and probably 
 arise from the inter-breeding of striped with spotted cats. 
 The only approach to a line or stripe of colour in a 
 Spotted Tabby is the trace running along the back, and 
 even this, to be quite in order, should be made up of a 
 number of spots from the back of the neck to the root of 
 the tail, which should also be marked with spots from one 
 end to the other. 
 
 I have usually found this variety of a placid and 
 amiable disposition, perhaps not so playful as some, but 
 with no disagreeable characteristics. 
 
 Of course the colour is a matter of taste, but to my 
 mind the Silver Spotted Tabby, with dense black spots 
 on a pale lavender ground, which shows them off well, is 
 the prettiest of all. 
 
 STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR JUDGING 
 SPOTTED TABBY SHORT-HAIRED CATS 
 
 Head ....... 10 Points 
 
 Ears . 5 
 
 Eyes to follow ground colour . . .10 ,, 
 
%, 
 
 SPOTTED SILVER TABBY " TIDULES." 
 1st, Crystal Palace, etc. Owner, R. J. Babb. 
 
 To face page 181, 
 
THE SHORT-HAIRED CAT 181 
 
 Body and shape . ' : , 
 
 Legs and feet . ' 'i, . : . 
 
 Coat . . . 
 
 Condition and general appearance 
 
 Size ...... 
 
 Colour and markings . 
 Tail. 
 
 Total 100 Points 
 
 THE NARROW-STRIPED SHORT-HAIRED TABBY CAT 
 
 There is one other Tabby variety of which I should 
 like to say a few words, the more so as, although by no 
 means rare, it is perhaps not so often seen as the other 
 members of the family. 
 
 It is essentially a Tabby, and, unless restrictions are 
 specially made at any show, can fairly be shown in 
 " Tabbies Any Colour " Class. 
 
 As a rule it has a dark iron grey ground colour, but 
 the stripes, which are narrow and should be black, run 
 down each side, starting from the black trace along the 
 spine, somewhat in the fashion of the stripes on a tiger. 
 
 There is a good difference in the sizes of the sexes, for, 
 while I have often seen quite large males of this variety, I 
 never remember seeing more than an ordinary-sized 
 female. 
 
 As far as my experience goes, it is very seldom you see 
 markings of this particular type on a light grey or silver 
 ground, or on any specimen of the Red Tabby colour ; so 
 
1 82 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 that although I have never seen a class provided for them, 
 and have always met them either in Mixed Tabby or Variety 
 Classes, I think they are as much entitled to be considered 
 a distinct variety as Spotted Tabbies, and believe there are 
 plenty of them about if they were looked after and 
 brought to the front. 
 
 Many I have seen were very handsome specimens, and 
 well worthy of notice, and I have little doubt if taken 
 up by some careful breeders a good deal might be done 
 with them. 
 
 The head should be round, strong in muzzle, short in 
 face, and with well-filled cheeks. 
 
 The ears rather small, with rounded tips. 
 
 The eyes large, round, lustrous and orange yellow, 
 with a look of green in them ; intelligent expression. 
 
 The legs rather short, strong in bone ; feet round. 
 
 The body moderately long and deep, broad across 
 the shoulders, back and hind quarters, cobby more than 
 lanky. 
 
 The tail thick and strong, carried in a curve, marked 
 with the body colours in rings from end to end. 
 
 The coat dense, but not long or coarse, sleek and soft. 
 
 The condition muscular, firm and hard, and general 
 appearance tiger-like and stately. 
 
 The size of males to twelve or thirteen pounds ; of 
 females, to eight or nine pounds. 
 
 The colour to be shades of iron grey all over for the 
 ground, with Tabby markings on face much as in the 
 other Tabbies, but the body markings to be made up of 
 narrow black stripes running downwards from the spine. 
 
NARROW STRIPED TABBY "SILVER/ 
 Owner, Mrs Fossett. 
 
 70 face page 183* 
 
THE SHORT-HAIRED CAT 
 
 183 
 
 STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR JUDGING NARROW- 
 STRIPED SHORT-HAIRED TABBY CATS. 
 
 Head ... 
 Ears .... .' 
 Eyes . . 
 Legs and feet . 
 
 Body 
 
 Tail 
 
 Coat 
 
 Condition and general appearance 
 Size . . . . . 
 Colour 
 
 io Points 
 
 r 
 . 10 
 
 . 5 
 . io ,, 
 
 5 
 5 
 
 I0 
 
 io 
 
 39 
 Total 100 Points 
 
CHAPTER XXIV 
 
 THE SMOKE-COLOURED SHORT-HAIRED CAT 
 
 THIS, which is not to be confounded with the Russian 
 Blue, to which at first sight it bears some little resem- 
 blance, is by no means a very common variety. 
 
 I have had several specimens at different times, and 
 am rather partial to them. 
 
 They nearly always, as far as I have noticed, have 
 some faint Tabby markings on the body, so much so that 
 I know they are called by some people Black Tabbies, and 
 it is quite possible they originated from the mating of a 
 Black and a Blue, but I think they are now an established 
 variety, although they never have classes provided for 
 them at any shows I have attended, and I have always 
 exhibited mine in the Any Other Variety Short Hairs, 
 and never, I think, without gaining honours with 
 them. 
 
 Although I am sure some of this variety have been 
 produced by the union of other colours, I think two 
 Smokes may be relied on to reproduce their own shade of 
 coat, and I am rather surprised they have not received 
 more encouragement. 
 
 184 
 
THE SHORT-HAIRED CAT 185 
 
 I have never seen this variety even mentioned in any 
 book on cats, but will give my views about it. 
 
 The head should be fairly large, well rounded, with 
 moderately short face and strong muzzle. 
 
 The ears should be rather wide at base, with rounded 
 tips, and carried erect, well open to front. 
 
 The eyes should be round, bold and full, orange 
 yellow in colour, and alert in expression. 
 
 The body well-knit and compact, not long or flat in 
 barrel, and muscular in build. 
 
 The legs should be rather long, and feet round and 
 small in shape. 
 
 The tail should be fairly thick at root, tapering to the 
 tip, and of moderate length. 
 
 The coat should be dense, short and smooth, more 
 abundant on the shoulders and hind quarters than on 
 other parts of the body. 
 
 The condition should be hard, muscular, and giving 
 promise of power and activity. 
 
 The size should average about nine to ten pounds, 
 for males ; and from seven to eight pounds for 
 females. 
 
 The colour should be nearly black slate, of a dull 
 almost sooty hue. I do not consider faint Tabby markings, 
 if they are hardly perceptible except in strong lights, are 
 a drawback, as specimens good in other respects are so 
 seldom met with free from them. 
 
 The illustration to this sketch is a portrait of the 
 writer's Luke, winner of many prizes at the Crystal 
 Palace and elsewhere, a very perfect specimen. 
 
1 86 
 
 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR JUDGING SMOKE- 
 COLOURED SHORT-HAIRED CATS 
 
 Head . . . . . . 
 
 Ears . 
 
 Eyes. . . 
 
 Body and shape . . . . . 
 
 Legs and feet . . / . . 
 Tail . ..... 
 
 Coat. .... 
 
 Condition and general appearance . 
 
 Colour . . . . . . 
 
 io Points 
 
 5 
 
 io 
 
 . 10 
 
 5 
 5 
 
 15 
 
 io 
 
 25 
 
 5 
 
 Total 100 Points 
 
 THE SHORT-HAIRED BLACK AND WHITE CAT 
 
 This variety, correctly marked, is not so common as 
 the outside public may suppose ; in the course of a long 
 career as breeder and exhibitor, I do not think I have 
 owned more than three or four I considered good enough 
 to exhibit. 
 
 Almost all the cats of different colours, I think more 
 especially amongst the Short Hairs, have some peculiarities 
 or characteristics which seem to belong to themselves, 
 and I always fancy there is a solemnity, gravity, and 
 clerical aspect about Black and White cats ; so that, if 
 you met with one in a Bishop's Palace or a Deanery, you 
 would feel it was quite in keeping with its surroundings. 
 
 They are usually very demure and placid in demeanour, 
 
SMOKE " LAUREL LUKE." 
 1st, Crystal Palace ; 2nd, Brighton, etc. Owner, C. H. Lane. 
 
 To face page 1 86. 
 
THE SHORT-HAIRED CAT 187 
 
 and I never remember to have seen one of this colour 
 taking part in raids on the chickens in the poultry yard 
 or the nocturnal scrimmages in the back gardens so often 
 heard. They seem to preserve an air of perfect respecta- 
 bility in accordance with their appearance, and act up 
 to it! 
 
 The head should be large and well rounded, with well- 
 filled-out cheeks and fairly strong muzzle on a face of 
 moderate length. 
 
 The ears somewhat large and full, carried very erect, 
 well open in front, tips pointed. 
 
 The eyes round, full, with placid expression, rich 
 yellow with a green glint in them. 
 
 The legs and feet : former strongly made with plenty 
 of bone in them, fairly long, but not leggy ; the latter 
 small and compact. 
 
 The body thick and plump rather than long or 
 flat-sided, and the shape somewhat cobby. 
 
 The tail thick and strong at base, tapering to the 
 point, but not long or mean-looking. 
 
 The coat very dense with a gloss upon it, and not 
 long anywhere. 
 
 The condition should be hard and muscular rather 
 than fat, and the appearance that of an active, but con- 
 tented and comfortable-looking animal. 
 
 The size should be about ten to twelve pounds for 
 males ; and from seven to nine pounds for females. 
 
 The colour is most important. Black is the prevail- 
 ing shade, and should be as dense as possible all over, 
 except the mouth, chin, lips, parts of the cheeks, whiskers 
 
i88 
 
 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 and chest, and all the four feet, which should be pure 
 white ; the white on face running up between the eyes in 
 a blaze, something like that seen in a Dutch Rabbit. 
 
 STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR JUDGING SHORT-HAIRED 
 BLACK AND WHITE CATS 
 
 Head ...... 
 
 Ears 
 
 Eyes . 
 
 Body and shape ..... 
 Legs and feet ..... 
 
 Tail 
 
 Coat 
 
 Condition and general appearance . 
 Size ....... 
 
 Colour ...... 
 
 Total 100 Points 
 
 THE SHORT-HAIRED WHITE AND BLACK CAT 
 
 I consider this variety in marked contrast, in point of 
 character and disposition, to the last named, as those I 
 have known have been of the light-hearted, happy-go- 
 lucky temperament, the first in a scrimmage or scuffle and 
 the last to leave off ; demons for vermin and very 
 sporting in their tastes. This accounts for their being 
 often found amongst the victims of the gamekeepers' 
 attention to trespassers, either really, or supposed to be, 
 in pursuit of fur and feather in the woods and plantations. 
 
 10 
 
 Points 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 10 
 
 5) 
 
 IO 
 
 ,, 
 
 5 
 
 )) 
 
 5 
 
 3) 
 
 IO 
 
 
 
 15 
 
 J) 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 2 5 
 
 J) 
 
fta 
 
THE SHORT-HAIRED CAT 189 
 
 They are more often leggy than not, and have usually 
 a long, rather lanky, tucked-up appearance, with more 
 muscle than flesh, but giving the idea of any amount of 
 activity and energy, and seeming more to enjoy an out- 
 door life at a cottage or farm in the country, than to be 
 cooped up in a warm room and made much of as a 
 domestic favourite. 
 
 I have not found them bad-tempered or unsociable, 
 but do not consider they care about a lot of handling or 
 pulling about ; there is something eminently workmanlike 
 about them as a rule, which precludes the idea of their 
 being petted very much. 
 
 As might be supposed, specimens of this variety differ 
 much in their markings, which should be quite pure 
 black, unmixed with tabby or white hairs, and the more 
 they harmonise in evenness and uniformity, the better 
 they are, but two are not often seen exactly alike ; one 
 may have black ears, feet, tail, and a spot or two on body ; 
 another may be all white except markings on head and 
 tail, and another with head and tail white and markings 
 on body and legs only. 
 
 I hope, as illustration to this sketch, to give a portrait 
 of one of my own, whom I called Magpie, and whose 
 colours I rather liked ; he was nearly all white, except 
 black on head and tail, and four large spots on his 
 body. I shall say something of him hereafter in my 
 anecdotes. 
 
 The head should be small, very round, rather long 
 faced and lean, with longish neck, and narrow shoulders 
 and chest. 
 
190 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 The ears very erect in carriage, rather large in size, 
 and very open and wide-awake looking. 
 
 The eyes are very round and staring, greenish yellow 
 in colour, and with a smart alert expression. 
 
 The legs are long and fine in bone, with small round 
 feet. 
 
 The body long, flat-sided, and rather lean than plump, 
 very lithe and active-looking. 
 
 The tail long, moderately thin to the point, and 
 carried gracefully. 
 
 The condition muscular, firm and hard, and the 
 general appearance denoting much muscular vigour. 
 
 The coat short, fine, and shiny, very close lying to 
 the skin. 
 
 The size not differing much in the sexes, averaging 
 from eight to ten pounds, perhaps rarely exceeding nine 
 pounds. 
 
 The colour to be white in predominance, with black 
 markings, as uniform as possible, distributed all over, 
 from head to tail, with a preference for some on both the 
 last named. 
 
 STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR JUDGING WHITE 
 AND BLACK SHORT-HAIRED CATS 
 
 Head . . ... . . .10 Points 
 
 Ears 5 
 
 Eyes . . . . - 1 . . . . 10 
 
 Body and shape . . . . . .10,, 
 
 Legs and feet ...... 5 
 
THE SHORT-HAIRED CAT 191 
 
 Tail . . . . . . .5 Points 
 
 Coat 10 
 
 Condition and general appearance . . .15,, 
 
 Size 5 
 
 Colour . . . . . . . 25 
 
 Total 100 Points 
 
 THE SHORT-HAIRED TABBY AND WHITE CAT 
 
 This variety really comprises the several Tabbies 
 with white markings, and although they do not receive 
 the same amount of favour at the hands of either fanciers 
 or judges usually accorded to those without white, many 
 of them are, in my opinion, very beautiful animals. 
 
 You see Red, Dark, Brown, Grey and Silver Tabbies 
 and White, and it is a matter of taste which is the 
 prettiest. I incline to the Dark and the Silver, but have 
 had specimens of them all at one time or another. 
 
 Of course, there must be uniformity and evenness in 
 the markings for show purposes ; a cat all white, with the 
 exception of some blotches or spots of tabby about it, 
 would not stand much chance of a prize in a good show. 
 
 Tabby must be the predominent feature, and plenty 
 of it, the white being disposed uniformly and unmixed 
 with the tabby anywhere. 
 
 What I like to see in them is a body all tabby, with 
 four white feet. I do not mind the hind feet being a little 
 more white than those in front, if they are alike. 
 
192 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 The face, chest and chin white, with a blaze up the 
 forehead between the eyes ; and the under part of the 
 body also white. 
 
 The head should be round, not very large, and with a 
 moderately long face. 
 
 The ears small, well placed and erect in carriage. 
 
 The eyes should be bright and round shaped, follow- 
 ing the colour of the Tabby in shade. 
 
 The body, fairly long, but not lanky or flat-sided, and 
 muscular in build. , 
 
 The legs rather short than long, to avoid any legginess, 
 and the feet round and small ; both well boned. 
 
 The tail strong at root, tapering to base, and not of 
 great length . 
 
 The coat short, close and dense, but fine and soft to 
 the touch. 
 
 The condition hard, firm and muscular, not fat 
 or coarse, and the general appearance graceful and 
 active. 
 
 The size should be from ten to twelve pounds for 
 males, and from seven to nine pounds for females ; a 
 little more may be allowed to each sex, provided there is 
 a general sense of quality rather than coarseness. 
 
 The colour, to be ideal, should be tabby all over, 
 except the white blaze up face between the eyes, white 
 chest, belly and the four feet, no spots to be allowed on 
 any of the white markings, nor any white on any part of 
 the tabby markings. 
 
 Such a cat as described is not as often seen as may be 
 supposed, but is a very pretty creature. 
 
SILVER TABBY AND WHITE " LAUREL SILVER STAR. 
 Winner many First and other Prizes. Owner, C. H. Lane. 
 
 To face page 192. 
 
THE SHORT-HAIRED CAT 
 
 193 
 
 STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR JUDGING SHORT-HAIRED 
 TABBY AND WHITE CATS 
 
 Head . . .. 
 
 Ears ...... 
 
 Eyes ...... 
 
 Body and shape . . . 
 Legs and feet . 
 
 Tail 
 
 Coat 
 
 Condition and general appearance 
 Size ...... 
 
 Colour and markings . 
 
 10 Points 
 
 5 
 10 
 
 10 
 
 5 
 
 S 
 10 
 
 1 S 
 10 
 
 20 
 
 Total 100 Points 
 
CHAPTER XXV 
 
 THE TORTOISESHELL SHORT-HAIRED CAT 
 
 ONE marked peculiarity of this variety is the great rarity 
 of males ; I should think there is not one male to be met 
 with to several hundred females. I have never heard 
 any reason given for this being so, but I have not the 
 slightest doubt about it. In all my show experiences I 
 do not think I have seen a dozen Tortoiseshell male 
 cats, and never seen more than three at any one show. 
 
 My friend, the late Mr Herbert Young, of Harrogate, 
 was very sanguine he had discovered a plan for breeding 
 the males as well as females of this colour, but if so he 
 died without divulging the secret, as I remember only one 
 appearing from his cattery. 
 
 The black red and yellow making up the colour, of 
 which, as a rule, the black is the most prominent, give 
 rather a sombre appearance to them, and they are not 
 admired much by the general public. 
 
 As I have said in another place in these sketches, the 
 females are usually mated with Red Tabby males, and 
 I have found excellent Blacks, Whites and Red Tabbies 
 in some of these litters. 
 
 Of course, it is important there should be no Tabby 
 
 194 
 
TORTOISESHELL, MALE " CH. BALLOCHMYLE SAMSON." 
 Seven Championships ; numerous First Prizes, Crystal Palace and elsewhere. 
 Owner, Lady Alexander. 
 
 
 TORTOISESHELL, FEMALE " BALLOCHMYLE BOUNTIFUL BERTIE." 
 
 Two Firsts, Crystal Palace; 1st and Championship, Brighton, etc. 
 
 Owner, Lady Alexander. 
 
 To face page 195. 
 
THE SHORT-HAIRED CAT 195 
 
 markings mixed in with the Tortoiseshell, and this is 
 where I notice many of them fail, as each colour should 
 be quite pure and distinct. 
 
 They are usually of rather small size, but keen 
 vermin hunters, and make good mothers. I do not think 
 any variety of domestic cat is possessed of more spirit 
 and courage, and they will seldom turn their back to any 
 foe, when fairly roused. 
 
 I like them as house or stable cats as well as any. I 
 have had some of them about the place for very many years, 
 and found them sociable and affectionate and with less 
 timidity or nerves about them than almost any other variety. 
 
 The head should be of moderate size, very round in 
 shape, with a short face, and rather long neck and narrow 
 shoulders. 
 
 The ears small, carried very upright and open, with 
 general idea of alertness. 
 
 The eyes brilliant, full and large, round in shape and 
 orange yellow in colour ; very intelligent expression. 
 
 The legs rather long than short or cloddy, fine in 
 bone, and the feet round and small. 
 
 The body long and narrow, with sloping shoulders, 
 more muscle than fat everywhere. 
 
 The tail should be rather long, not thin or lanky, as 
 they often are, and marked with the three colours. 
 
 The coat should be short, fine and shiny, and very 
 sleek and smooth to the touch. 
 
 The condition should be firm, hard and muscular, the 
 general appearance denoting grace and activity. 
 
 The size of males need not be given, as they are so 
 
196 
 
 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 seldom seen, but I should like them up to ten or twelve 
 pounds, if possible, and females up to eight or nine pounds. 
 
 The colour, composed of black red and yellow, in 
 patches all over from the nose to tip of tail, and the 
 more distinct each is the better. 
 
 The illustrations to this sketch are Lady Alexander's 
 Champions Ballochmyle Samson and Ballochmyle Bounti- 
 ful Bertie, probably the best specimens living of this variety. 
 
 STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR JUDGING SHORT-HAIRED 
 TORTOISESHELL CATS 
 
 Head . . . 
 
 Ears '", 
 
 Eyes ... 
 
 Legs and feet . . . 
 
 Body . . ' '. 
 
 Tail .... 
 
 Coat . 
 
 Condition and general appearance 
 
 Size . . . , 
 
 Colour . . . . , 
 
 io Points 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 IO 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 3) 
 
 IS 
 
 JJ 
 
 s 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 Total 100 Points 
 
 THE TORTOISESHELL AND WHITE SHORT-HAIRED CAT 
 
 In the eyes of the general public this variety is much 
 prettier than the last, and I have owned and seen many 
 I have greatly admired. For some years I had a male of 
 this variety, which took a great many prizes, and they 
 
TORTOISESHELL AND WHITE " CH. KALLOCHM YLK OTTER." 
 
 Nine Championships, many First Prizes, Cry.^tal Palace, etc. 
 
 Owner, Lady Alexander. 
 
 TORTOISESHELL AND WHITE, MALE " LAUREL LOTHAIR." 
 Winner many Prizes Crystal Palace, Brighton, etc. Owner, C. H. Lane. 
 To face page 196. 
 
THE SHORT-HAIRED CAT 197 
 
 are only second in rarity to the Tortoiseshell males. I 
 hope to give his portrait as one of the illustrations to this 
 sketch, and a champion of Lady Alexander's as the other. 
 
 To be ideally marked, the tortoiseshell should be the 
 predominant feature, but in very many we see at the 
 shows and elsewhere, there is a great deal too much 
 white, which takes off from the rich appearance of the 
 colouring, and seems to diminish the size. 
 
 I have found them quite equal to the Tortoiseshells 
 as vermin killers and mothers, and very docile and 
 gentle in their manners. I think they are more inclined to 
 attach themselves to their owners than most varieties, and 
 very playful and fond of fun long after they are adults. 
 
 Several that I have had have been most friendly with 
 some of my dogs, and delighted to have a thorough romp 
 on the lawn with them, always taking to the trees when 
 the play became too fast and furious for them. 
 
 The head should be small, round, and with a short 
 face, but not too pinched in muzzle. 
 
 The ears rather large and open, with erect carriage. 
 
 The eyes wide open, round, lustrous and sharp- 
 looking, orange yellow in colour. 
 
 The legs long, without giving a leggy appearance, 
 and not strong in bone ; the feet small and round shaped. 
 
 The body and neck inclined to be long, shoulders and 
 quarters rather narrow, and somewhat flat at sides. 
 
 The tail should be long, moderately thick at base 
 and tapering to the point, not mean-looking. 
 
 The coat should be glossy, fine and- short, lying 
 closely to the skin. 
 
198 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 The condition should be muscular, hard and firm, 
 with an active, graceful general appearance. 
 
 The size might average eight pounds for females, 
 though many are seen much less males, as much more 
 as obtainable without fat or coarseness. 
 
 The colour should be tortoiseshell all over, except 
 white blaze up face, on each of the four feet, the chest 
 and belly ; the more distinct and pure the patches of 
 yellow black and red are, the better the specimen will 
 be in regard to colour, and no Tabby markings should 
 appear mixed with any of the colours, but they are often 
 seen in the red or yellow patches, denoting a Tabby 
 somewhere in the pedigree. 
 
 STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR JUDGING TORTOISESHELL 
 AND WHITE SHORT-HAIRED CATS 
 
 Head . . . ... .10 Points 
 
 Ears . . . ; .". (r ,\ : . 5 
 
 Eyes . . . . . ^ . r . 10 
 
 Legs and feet . . . V . " 5 
 
 Body . . . . . ... ... . . .10 
 
 Tail . -". ; . , , ; ."," . , 5 
 
 Coat . . . . ... , : . ; . . 5 
 
 Condition and general appearance . .15 
 
 Size . ; .. . . < , . " [, 5 
 
 Colour and uniformity in markings . . . 30 
 
 Total 100 Points 
 
TABBY MANX "CH. BONHAKI." 
 Winner of numerous Prizes. Owner, Mrs II. C. Brooke. 
 
 
 WHITE MANX "LORD LUKE." 
 1st, Alexandra Palace, etc., etc. Owner, C. H. Lane. 
 
 To face page 198. 
 
THE SHORT-HAIRED CAT 199 
 
 THE MANX CAT 
 
 This variety, to the best of my knowledge, informa- 
 tion and belief, does not include any long-haired specimens, 
 and, as far as I have heard or seen, does not comprise all the 
 colours usually associated with other short-haired varieties. 
 
 I have reason to believe white specimens are very 
 seldom seen, and the first I ever had of the variety was 
 of that colour. I will give his portrait to illustrate 
 this sketch, as he was one of the most typical specimens 
 I have seen, and winner of many prizes while in 
 my possession, and also a portrait of Mrs H. C. 
 Brooke's " Champion." 
 
 I may at once say that it is a mistake to suppose that 
 any cat that had lost its tail might be taken for a " Manx," 
 or would have any chance of notice at a show, if the 
 judge understood the variety, as the make of the animal, 
 its movements and its general character are all distinctive. 
 
 I have proved the truth of the late Mr Herbert 
 Young's assertion as to half-bred Manx Cats having 
 tail-less progeny, and can go a step further, as, during the 
 time I kept the variety, I found some of the females of 
 other short-haired breeds were liable to produce kittens 
 with short, and, on some occasions, no tails. This was 
 really the reason why I determined to give up keeping 
 Manx, although the only male of the variety in my 
 possession was not allowed to be at large, or mated 
 with any but his own species. 
 
 Any of my readers who may desire to take up the 
 variety, which is quaint and interesting and I found all 
 
200 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 the specimens which have come under my notice docile, 
 good-tempered and sociable if they take my advice, will 
 either keep no other variety of cat, long or short-haired, 
 or quite isolated and out of sight of the Manx, or they may 
 suffer in the same way as I did. 
 
 At comparatively few shows are classes provided for 
 this variety, which has therefore usually to be entered in 
 the " Any Other Variety Short Hair," where it does not 
 stand much chance of getting into the first three, unless 
 exceptionally good in size and markings. 
 
 It is curious that the colours in this variety seem 
 somewhat limited, as although I have seen a great many 
 of them, I never remember to have seen any but tortoise- 
 shell, and very few of that shade ; white, and that only 
 my own male ; black, perhaps the most numerous of all as 
 far as my experience goes ; black and white, and grey- 
 striped Tabby. I am not prepared to say that no others 
 are ever seen, but that I do not remember seeing them 
 either in Manx or Any Other Variety classes. 
 
 Many of those shown fail in their tails, some having 
 an inch or more, whereas the tail proper should be absent 
 and represented by only a tuft of hair at the extremity of 
 the spine, though some, I believe, pure bred have had a 
 tiny thin apology for a tail without bone. 
 
 I may perhaps mention that I have bred a great many 
 of the Old English sheep dogs, which I am glad to see 
 have now become so deservedly popular, and have had 
 litters with nearly the whole of them born without a 
 particle of tail, proving that although some of their 
 ancestors (as I happen to know has been done with even 
 
THE SHORT-HAIRED CAT 201 
 
 some of those that have taken the highest honours at shows 
 as genuine Old English sheep dogs) had their tails docked, 
 many are born entirely without those useful appendages. 
 
 My ideas about the Manx Cat are as follows : 
 
 The head should be of moderate size, round, not 
 very short in face, but long in neck, with sloping shoulders, 
 and rather wide and deep in chest. 
 
 The ears very erect and open to the front, large 
 rather than small, with rounded tips. 
 
 The eyes large, round, rather staring and prominent, 
 coloured according to the body colour. 
 
 The fore legs straight, well boned and strong ; and 
 the hind legs much longer, very well boned and muscular, 
 with powerful hind quarters ; in action the Manx seems 
 to hop, or jump along, more with the movements associ- 
 ated with a hare than of a cat, and must be seen to be 
 properly appreciated. 
 
 The body should be well knit, rather lengthy, inclined 
 to be flat-sided, not, as a rule, very bulky, but strong. 
 
 The tail should be absent, but, as I have said, there is 
 sometimes a little gristly thin ending to the spine, in a 
 tuft of hair, where the tail would be in other varieties. 
 
 The coat should be short, fine and close lying to the 
 skin, soft and smooth to the touch, perhaps a little more 
 abundant on the shoulders, chest and hind quarters than any- 
 where else, but not so as to take away its sleek appearance. 
 
 The condition should be firm, hard and muscular, 
 with no superfluous fat about it ; and the general appear- 
 ance that of an alert, active animal of much power and 
 energetic character. 
 
202 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 The size of males from eight to ten pounds, and of 
 females from six to eight pounds. I have rarely seen 
 these weights exceeded, and have seen many that would 
 come under them. 
 
 Colour is, of course, a matter of taste. I think white 
 is the least often seen ; some of the largest specimens I 
 have met with have been black, and the smallest black 
 and white. I have seen many good tabbies and one or 
 more tortoiseshell. In all of these the markings and 
 eyes should follow the rules laid down for similar colours 
 in Other Varieties of Short-haired Cats. 
 
 I am not aware that any standard has ever been given 
 for judging this variety, but my views about it are as 
 follows : 
 
 STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR JUDGING 
 THE MANX CAT 
 
 Head and neck . . . . . .10 Points 
 
 Ears . . . 5 
 
 Eyes . . 10 
 
 Fore legs and feet . . . 5 
 
 Hind legs and feet . . . . 1 5 
 
 Body and shape . . . . . .10,, 
 
 Tail, or rather its absence . . . . 15 ,, 
 
 Condition and general appearance . .10 
 
 Coat . , . . . , . . . . 5 
 
 Size . . JJ6 ' ' ' 5 
 
 Colour . 10 
 
 Total 100 Points 
 
ABYSSINIAN " QUEEN JUMBO." 
 1st, Crystal Palace ; 1st, Brighton, etc. Owner, Mrs George Herring. 
 
 To face page 203. 
 
THE SHORT-HAIRED CAT 203 
 
 THE SHORT-HAIRED ABYSSINIAN CAT 
 
 I am not sure if this is not absolutely the least fre- 
 quently seen of any variety of domesticated cat in this 
 country, which leads me to think it has never become 
 popular, either with fanciers or the public. 
 
 I have not heard its title to the name Abyssinian 
 disputed, and have every reason to believe the first speci- 
 mens which appeared were imported from that distant 
 land. In fact, it is asserted by some who profess to have 
 gone deeply into the subject, that this is the same variety 
 as was held in such reverence by the Egyptians in past 
 ages, and of which shiploads of their mummies, or rather 
 embalmed bodies, were discovered a few years since, and 
 created a profound sensation in scientific circles. 
 
 If this idea proves to be correct it will considerably 
 alter the position of the variety in the eyes of the breeders 
 and fanciers of cats, pointing it out as lineal descendant 
 of the ancestors of the short-haired cats of Europe, which, 
 as I have said in another place in these sketches, are sup- 
 posed, with the single exception of the native Wild Cat, 
 to owe their origin to the short-haired cats imported from 
 Egypt. 
 
 Another name by which this variety is sometimes 
 called is the Bunny Cat, given I think on account of the 
 ticked grey colour of the coat, which has much the same 
 aspect as that of the wild rabbit. 
 
 As far as I have seen of both varieties, there is no 
 other of the Short Hairs domesticated in this country, 
 which is so much like our native Wild Cat, as this, except 
 
204 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 that there is almost entire absence of even the slight Tabby 
 markings, which appear on specimens of the latter, and it 
 is not so short and thick in shape of body and tail, the 
 latter with the rings very faintly indicated upon it, which 
 are rather a feature in the native Wild Cat. 
 
 Contrary to the usual supposition that the progeny 
 of imported animals are larger than their parents, it is 
 asserted by breeders that those which have undoubtedly 
 come to this country from Abyssinia are larger and finer 
 specimens than those born here, and more free from any 
 markings, except the dark trace down back and the tick- 
 ings peculiar to the species. 
 
 The head should be fairly large, round, not very short, 
 but full in face, with dark red nose, shortish, strong neck, 
 deep chest, and shoulders rather wide. 
 
 The ears moderately small, dark brown in colour, 
 laced and tipped with black, carried very erect. 
 
 The eyes round and full, deep yellow, with a glint of 
 green in them, and intelligent in expression. 
 
 The legs fairly long and well boned, with small round 
 feet. 
 
 The body, rather compact and cobby, than long ; well 
 rounded at sides, not tucked-up looking, and with strong 
 hind quarters. 
 
 The tail, thick at base, tapering to the tip. 
 
 The coat very dense and soft, but not long anywhere. 
 
 The condition hard, firm and muscular ; general ap- 
 pearance of an active, powerful animal of compact build. 
 
 The size of males, eleven to thirteen pounds ; of females, 
 eight to ten pounds. 
 
THE SHORT-HAIRED CAT 
 
 205 
 
 The colour deep brown, with black tickings all over, 
 with as little other markings as possible, except a black 
 line from nape of neck to the end of tail. 
 
 The illustration is a portrait of a specimen shown 
 some years since by my friend Mrs George Herring. 
 
 STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR JUDGING 
 THE ABYSSINIAN CAT 
 
 Head 
 
 Ears 
 
 Eyes 
 
 Legs and feet . 
 
 Body and shape . 
 
 Coat ..... 
 
 Condition and general appearance 
 
 Size ..... 
 
 Colour 
 
 Tail 
 
 . 10 Points 
 
 5 
 10 
 r 
 
 IO ,, 
 
 1 S> 
 
 . 5 
 
 . 20 
 
 5 
 Total 100 Points 
 
 THE SIAMESE CAT 
 
 Although some of the varieties mentioned in these 
 sketches are rare, and seldom seen except occasionally at 
 shows, I think that description applies to none more 
 generally than to the Siamese. 
 
 I don't remember to have ever seen one roaming at 
 large, and I believe most people who saw one would be 
 doubtful if it really was a cat, as the colour is so much in 
 
206 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 accord with the ideas of a pug dog. Some I have seen 
 with a short twisted tail, something like a badly-carried 
 pug's tail. 
 
 There seems to be no difference of opinion that this 
 variety is correctly named, the first specimens seen here 
 being imported from Siam, where they are held in much 
 esteem, the King of Siam being reputed to take consider- 
 able interest in keeping the breed pure ; so much so that 
 it was in the early days of the fancy a difficult matter to 
 obtain specimens, and many of the males were not allowed 
 to leave the country, to be available for breeding purposes ; 
 but as a great many have been bred in the United 
 Kingdom of late years, I presume those regulations have 
 either been relaxed or evaded. 
 
 Occasionally specimens are seen with coats of choco- 
 late colour, but I think the ordinary and most popular 
 shade is fawn, pale drab, or light silver grey ground 
 colour, with all the extremities as nearly black as obtain- 
 able. 
 
 They are said by those best acquainted with them to 
 make very interesting pets, but with more of the ways of 
 dogs than cats, attaching themselves warmly to their 
 owners, and liking to accompany them from room to 
 room, or about the garden or grounds, and will become 
 very friendly with the dogs about the place, but not so 
 sociable with cats, and well able to take care of themselves 
 in any differences of opinion with the latter. 
 
 They seem to like an outdoor life and do best in 
 places where they can go in and out and do a little hunt- 
 ing after " fur and feather " on their own account. 
 
SIAMESE "CH. WANKEE." 
 Winner of many Prizes. Owner, Mrs M. Robinson. 
 
 SIAMESE, FEMALE " CH. MEO." 
 
 Great Prize Winner at Leading Shows. Owner, Mrs Cunlifle Lee. 
 To face page 206. 
 
THE SHORT-HAIRED CAT 207 
 
 The food which seems to suit them is fresh fish, boiled 
 with rice ; but where this is not available, they will readily 
 eat bread and milk, particularly if given lukewarm, the 
 milk being boiled before being mixed with the bread ; 
 they also like the fragments of game and chicken left 
 from the table. 
 
 Unless they have been reared in the country, so as to 
 become fairly hardy, they are rather delicate, and the 
 kittens liable to mortality before they grow up, but it is 
 not wise to attempt to breed them in the autumn or 
 winter, the best time being about April or May, so that 
 they may have the warm weather before them. 
 
 At first the kittens show very little of the character- 
 istic markings, being nearly white when born, with just a 
 shade of lacing on the ears, and do not attain their adult 
 colours until about twelve months old. 
 
 One of the most fatal complaints from which they 
 suffer, and which carries off many kittens and even adults, 
 is worms, but I should think if taken in time by adminis- 
 tration of some form of vermifuge, in small doses, this 
 might be overcome ; it is also a cause of much trouble 
 with dogs. 
 
 A friend of mine who has had some experience of the 
 variety, says they are much in their habits like other cats, 
 but that strangers notice a peculiar wild animal odour 
 about them, like I have observed with the Russian Blue 
 Short-Hair Cats, and that most of the kittens have a kink 
 in the tail, not always in the same place, being sometimes 
 at the end, at others near the body or in the middle. 
 
 The mothers are fond and devoted to their young, and 
 
208 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 usually will have three or four litters a year if allowed to 
 do so, but I should think it better not to exceed two. 
 It is said the males take a warm interest in the litters, 
 which is rarely the case with other varieties. 
 
 The head should be small rather than large, with re- 
 ceding forehead, broad between the eyes but narrowing 
 between the ears, rather long in face and somewhat pinched 
 in muzzle. 
 
 The ears rather large, wide and open to the front, 
 nearly bare of hair inside. 
 
 The eyes should be a bright but pearly blue, placed 
 slanting slightly downwards towards the nose. 
 
 The legs more short than long, and the feet more oval 
 in shape than is usual with cats. 
 
 The body long but slightly made, not indicative of 
 much muscular power. 
 
 The tail rather long and tapering, often with a kink 
 or small knot in some part of it. 
 
 The coat very short and fine, and much like that of a 
 pug dog, seeming to combine wool and hair in its texture. 
 
 The condition should be firm and hard, without fat or 
 coarseness ; and the general appearance active and grace- 
 ful, with an air of refinement. 
 
 The size might be set down as ten pounds for males, 
 and about eight pounds for females. 
 
 The colour should be uniform all over, a pale fawn or 
 drab, except the ears, muzzle, legs, feet and tail, all of 
 which should be as nearly black as possible. Although the 
 coat should be very close and smooth, it is never glossy 
 or shiny, but just the dull hue of a pug's coat. 
 
MEXICAN HAIRLESS "JESUIT." 
 
 (Believed to be the only specimen ever exhibited in England.) 
 Owner, Hon. Mrs McLaren Morrison. 
 
 To face page 
 
THE SHORT-HAIRED CAT 
 
 209 
 
 STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR JUDGING THE 
 ROYAL CAT OF SIAM 
 
 Head 
 
 Ears . 
 
 Eyes. . . . . 
 
 Legs and feet . 
 Body and shape . 
 Coat ...... 
 
 Condition and general appearance 
 Size ...... 
 
 Colour and markings . 
 Tail . 
 
 io Points 
 
 5 99 
 
 io 
 
 5 
 
 io ,, 
 
 io 
 
 . 10 
 r 
 
 30 
 
 . 5 
 Total 100 Points 
 
 MEXICAN HAIRLESS CAT 
 
 Since ^ writing the foregoing I have seen an 
 account of the above-named variety, which, as far as 
 my experience goes, is the most rare of any species of 
 domesticated cat. The article appeared in Animal 
 Life, to whom it was supplied by my friend, Mrs 
 H. C. Brooke, of Welling, and from her photograph 
 the illustration to the succeeding article on the Indian 
 Cat has been reproduced, which, I am sure, will be 
 interesting to many of my readers. 
 
 Mrs Shuick, of Abuquerque, New Mexico, describes 
 them as follows : " These cats were obtained from Indians, 
 a few miles from here. The old Jesuit Fathers say they 
 
210 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 are the last of the Aztec race, and known only in New 
 Mexico. 
 
 " They are marked exactly alike, with mouse-coloured 
 backs, the neck, stomach and legs a delicate flesh tint ; 
 their bodies are always warm and soft. 
 
 "In the winter they have a light fuzz on the back 
 and ridge of tail, which falls off in the warm weather. 
 
 " They stand the cold as well as other cats, their skin 
 is very loose. 
 
 <c Nellie, the female, has a very small head, large 
 amber eyes, and long whiskers and eyebrows ; her 
 voice now is a good baritone, when young it sounded 
 exactly like a child's. 
 
 " Nellie weighs about eight pounds, and Dick ten 
 pounds. 
 
 " Dick was a very powerful cat, and could whip any dog 
 alone ; his courage, no doubt, was the cause of his death. 
 
 " He was a sly rascal, and would steal out, and one 
 night he got out and several dogs killed him. 
 
 c< His loss was very great, and I may never replace him. 
 The Chicago Cat Club valued him at 1000 dollars. 
 
 u I have sent all over the country and endeavoured to 
 get a male for Nellie, but I fear the breed is extinct." 
 
 I believe the above-named and following varieties of 
 cats have not even been mentioned or illustrated in any 
 previous work on domestic cats, nor do I remember 
 seeing more than one specimen of the former exhibited in 
 this country, but I hope it may prove they are not quite 
 extinct, as they are different from any other variety 
 with which the writer is acquainted, and so rare as 
 
INDIAN "INDISCHER FURS1Y' 
 Owner, Mrs H. C. Brooke. 
 
 To face page ill. 
 
THE SHORT-HAIRED CAT 211 
 
 to be exceedingly valuable to all students of natural 
 history, irrespective of their interest to cat lovers. 
 
 The illustration is a portrait of one belonging to the 
 Hon. Mrs McLaren Morrison, the only specimen I have 
 seen shown in this country. 
 
 THE INDIAN CAT 
 
 This is another cat very rarely seen in Europe, but 
 I think the following short account of it, and the 
 accompanying illustration, may be interesting to my 
 readers. For both I am indebted to my friend, Mrs 
 H. C. Brooke, who is well known for the interest she 
 takes in animals not usually kept as pets. 
 
 Some of the varieties of the domestic cat occasion- 
 ally seen in India, are apparently derived from crosses 
 with some of the smaller wild breeds found in that 
 country. 
 
 From which particular variety the Indian cat is 
 derived, I have no positive information. 
 
 The colour of the upper parts of the body is a pale 
 chestnut red, passing through grades of yellowish shades 
 to almost white on the under parts of the body. 
 
 The forehead is puckered or wrinkled ; the head 
 somewhat long, pointed and narrow in shape ; with 
 legs long and fine in bone ; and the tail unusually long 
 and tapering, and carried with a curve. 
 
 The coat is thick, but quite short ; its ears are large 
 but thin, with rather a forward carriage, very erect. 
 
212 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 The eyes are not particularly large, of rich amber 
 colour, and very brilliant in expression. 
 
 The colour on the sides is freely ticked or pencilled, 
 but on the legs and thighs appear slightly-marked stripes, 
 and on the tail are rings of the same colour. 
 
 In tone of voice it is more like the Siamese than any 
 other cat with which we are familiar, and it is found to 
 vary in this respect at different times. 
 
 Except in point of colour, it is more like what we 
 know as the Abyssinian or Bunny Cat than any other 
 variety seen at exhibitions in this country, but there is 
 no reason to suppose it is a variety of the same animal, 
 being thought to be a native product of India, and not 
 found in any other country. 
 
CHAPTER XXVI 
 
 THE WILD CAT 
 
 ALTHOUGH seldom seen amongst exhibition cats, and 
 even then always entered in the class for "Any 
 Other Variety of Short-haired Cat," I think some of 
 my readers may like to have a few lines about the above- 
 named, which is a native of the forests of Europe, and 
 still to be found in its original state in some of the 
 northern counties of Britain. 
 
 It is much larger than the common domestic varieties, 
 the head is larger and flatter in shape, the limbs are more 
 powerful, and the tail is a good deal shorter and thicker, 
 with less tapering to the extremity, ending abruptly, as 
 if the last joint or so had been removed. 
 
 In colour it is usually of a greyish brown, with dusky 
 streaked markings merging into black, one or more 
 black stripes or bands down the back from the neck, 
 and stripes of similar shade down the sides, but not 
 disposed as we see in the domestic Tabbies. 
 
 The tip of the tail is usually black, and all the rest of it 
 is marked with alternate rings of the body colour and black. 
 
 The lips, nose and pads of the feet are all dark 
 coloured. 
 
 213 
 
2i 4 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 I think they are now more often seen in the 
 wildest and most retired parts of the Highlands of 
 Scotland than anywhere else. In other parts of Europe 
 the colour of the Wild Cat varies to a deep tawny, with 
 brown or deep black streaks ; or sometimes a pale grey, 
 with black and brown markings. 
 
 The Wild Cat is quite the Ishmael of the feline 
 race, and all the specimens which have come under 
 my notice at shows, or in the hands of collectors of 
 natural history subjects, have been more remarkable for 
 their ferocity than their beauty. 
 
 It is chiefly to be found in very retired places amongst 
 woods, and especially where stunted underwood grows, 
 in and about rocks and crags, in the caves and crevices 
 of which it lives and rears its young, producing four or 
 five in a litter. 
 
 Of course it is pre-eminently a beast of prey, and 
 lives upon birds, leverets, rabbits, and such like small 
 game as it can lay its claws upon, and has been 
 known to kill lambs, kids and young fawns, so that 
 one of its most deadly enemies is the gamekeeper, 
 who will tell you, as poor Artemus Ward said of the 
 North American Indian, " It is downright poison 
 wherever you find him." 
 
 Some naturalists call it the British Tiger, and it has 
 certainly all the characteristics of that animal, both in form 
 and habits, but, being so much smaller in size, is not 
 capable of doing so much mischief. 
 
 Although numerous instances have occurred of 
 domestic cats escaping to the woods, and taking up 
 
THE SHORT-HAIRED CAT 215 
 
 a wild life there, and even breeding with the native 
 Wild Cats, I think it is a mistake to suppose they are 
 the same animal only in a civilised form. I believe 
 the ancestors of our short-haired cats came from 
 Northern Africa, probably Egypt, where we know 
 the cat Felis Maniculata was held in high reverence, 
 and scores of the mummies of embalmed cats have 
 been brought over here from that interesting country, 
 and evidently of very great age. 
 
 The European variety of Wild Cat, Felis Catus, is 
 said to have never been found there, and it is unreason- 
 able to suppose that it would have produced the Egyptian 
 Cat of such an early period of the world's history. 
 
 In the early times of British history domestic cats 
 were certainly extremely rare and highly valued. 
 
 In the tenth century, about A.D. 948, Hoel or 
 Howel, the great King of Wales, fixed the price of a 
 blind kitten at one penny ; and when it could see, 
 and proof be given of its having caught a mouse, 
 the price was doubled to twopence, and after it 
 had established its reputation as a mouser the value 
 was again doubled to fourpence, which represented a 
 good deal in those times. 
 
 We are told, too, that anyone who destroyed or 
 stole the cat which guarded the Prince's granary or 
 store-house for grain, was liable by law to a fine of a 
 milch ewe, her fleece and lamb ; or to deliver to the 
 aggrieved owner as much corn as would reach to 
 the tip of a cat's tail when held up by that organ, 
 with the point of the nose touching the ground. 
 
216 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 Wild Cats are sometimes taken in traps, but, perhaps, 
 more often by shooting, in the latter mode it is dangerous 
 to merely wound them, for they have been frequently 
 known to attack the person who injured them, and their 
 strength and courage are so great as to render them 
 rather formidable antagonists. 
 
 At a village called Bainborough, situated between 
 Bainsley and Doncaster, in Yorkshire, there is a tradition 
 of a serious conflict which once took place between a man 
 and a Wild Cat. The inhabitants relate that the fight 
 commenced in an adjoining wood, and was continued from 
 hence up to the very porch of the village church, where 
 it is said to have ended fatally to both combatants, for 
 each died of the wounds received. 
 
 A rude painting in the church commemorates the 
 event, and the natives of the place profess to show marks 
 of blood stains on the stones in the church porch, which 
 no amount of washing has been able to remove. 
 
 I should have said that another argument against the 
 idea that the Wild Cat is the original of our Felis 
 Domestica, is that, at that period when the former were 
 most plentiful, and to be met with in most of their likely 
 haunts, the present variety of domestic cat was almost 
 unknown in this country, and was evidently an animal of 
 foreign importation, and, as I have before stated, so 
 highly estemed for its vermin-destroying qualities as to 
 form the subject of royal statutes for its protection and 
 preservation. 
 
 That there are hundreds, if not thousands, of cats 
 living in a state of nature in the woods and dense parts 
 
BRITISH WILD CAT. 
 Exhibited Crystal Palace. Owner, late Lord Lilford. 
 
 To face page 217. 
 
THE SHORT-HAIRED CAT 217 
 
 of the forests of Great Britain (but, strange to say, none 
 are related to have ever been found in Ireland corre- 
 sponding to what we look upon as the Wild Cat, Felis 
 Syhestris, or Cafus), I have not the slightest doubt, as I 
 have seen them scores of times ; although some, or 
 perhaps many of them, may have mated with the real 
 Wild Cats, and so produced hybrids, in some measure 
 resembling the original variety. 
 
 I think the domestic cats so well known to us, did not 
 originate from the Wild Cat, and that the two varieties 
 are quite distinct, and where they are seen together the 
 points of difference would at once be apparent. 
 
 My friend, Harrison Weir, F.R.H.S., perhaps the 
 highest living authority on the subject, and whose charm- 
 ing book on cats will be well known to most of my 
 readers, writes a very interesting article on the Wild Cat, 
 and seems to confirm my view that it is anatomically 
 different from our domestic variety. 
 
 In rather a quaint old book of mine, with many quite 
 astounding illustrations, called A New and Complete System 
 of Natural History, published by Alexander Hogg, as the 
 Act directs, at the King's Arms, N o. 1 6 Paternoster Row, 
 London, about 1763, I find it stated, that King 
 Richard II. granted a Royal Charter to the Abbot of 
 Peterborough, by which he was authorised to chase the 
 Fox, Hare, and Wild Cat, but whether this was a general 
 license to the genial ecclesiastic, to hunt those wily quad- 
 rupeds wheresoever he might meet with them, or only in 
 certain specified districts, is not stated. In Daniel's Rural 
 Sports we are told that Wild Cats were formerly 
 
218 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 objects of sport to huntsmen ; but it was not for diversion 
 alone that this animal was pursued, for the skin was much 
 used by nuns in their habits, as a fur one of the reasons 
 why the skin of cats was used on cloaks and other 
 garments for trimming, being, that it showed humility in 
 dress and adopted by some priests, as well as nuns, when 
 wishing to impress others with their deep sense of 
 humility in all things, even to their wearing apparel. 
 
 ANY OTHER VARIETIES OF SHORT-HAIRED CAT 
 
 In the course of the foregoing sketches I have been, 
 so to speak, cutting the ground from under my own feet, 
 leaving but few materials for the above subject. 
 
 I have endeavoured to give a separate notice of all 
 the recognised varieties of short-haired cats either usually, 
 or unusually, met with ; but, of course, in the case of an 
 animal subject to many variations of colour, specimens 
 will occasionally be seen which admit of no absolute 
 classification, and will therefore, if shown at all, have to 
 be entered in a class headed somewhat after the manner 
 of this sketch. 
 
 I do not mean what I may call deformed specimens, 
 with three legs, two legs, extra toes to their feet, or such 
 like, which, although they might be deemed worthy of 
 attention and curiosity if included in an exhibition of 
 freaks of nature, I consider are quite out of place in a 
 cat show. 
 
 But animals of some peculiar or unusual colour, such 
 
NARROW STRIPED TABBY AND WHITE" LORD STANLEY,' 
 Winner many Prizes, Crystal Palace, etc. Owner, C. H. Lane. 
 
 To face page 219, 
 
THE SHORT-HAIRED CAT 219 
 
 as a black cat with a white head and tail ; a blue cat 
 with similar misplaced markings ; a yellow cat without 
 Tabby markings or white ; a smoke cat marked like a 
 black and white ; a white cat with one or more spots 
 of Tabby markings ; or a cat all tortoiseshell except a 
 white head and tail, all of which, in the general way, 
 would be eligible for entry in this class. 
 
 I have just mentioned a few of the variations, most of 
 which I have occasionally seen, but of course there are 
 many others possible to arise, particularly with an animal 
 like the cat, which in probably the majority of cases is 
 left pretty much to its own devices in the way of mating, 
 and consequently the variations in the colour of the 
 offspring are many and great. 
 
 In dealing with such a mixed class as suggested, the 
 judge should endeavour to select for prizes those 
 coming nearest in formation and colour to what the 
 variety it misrepresented should be, but these are 
 always unsatisfactory classes, both for judges and 
 exhibitors. 
 
 I have set forth my views, and given the result of my 
 experience, on some of the matters connected with 
 exhibition cats, which I venture to hope may be of 
 some assistance, at least to novices amongst my fellow 
 fanciers ; and if they are the means of calling up or 
 increasing interest in the domestic cat, of whose intelli- 
 gence, affection and many good qualities I have a high 
 opinion, one of my objects in penning these sketches 
 will be attained. 
 
CHAPTER XXVII 
 
 A FEW WORDS ON CATS IN GENERAL 
 
 "I would give nothing for that man's religion whose cat and dog 
 are not the better for it." DR NORMAN M*LEOD. 
 
 I THINK I cannot commence better than by quoting the 
 words of Mark Twain, in his amusing book called 
 Puddin -headed Wilson^ where he says : 
 
 " A home without a cat, and a well-fed, well-petted, 
 and properly revered cat, may be a perfect home, perhaps ; 
 but how can it prove its title ? " 
 
 The cat of the household is not so much respected by 
 some as she deserves to be. 
 
 It is true everyone admits she is useful for killing 
 mice, etc., and so most people keep a cat, but do not always 
 let her have her due regard in return. 
 
 Yet a cat, well cared for, is a very affectionate, 
 pleasant member of the household brigade, and possessed 
 of far more intelligence and sagacity than usually falls 
 to her credit, besides often being an ornament and pleasing 
 addition to the fireside, as we are so fond of saying, " quite 
 English, you know." 
 
 Many persons make the cruel mistake of supposing 
 that a cat will be a keener and better mouser if not 
 
 220 
 
A FEW WORDS ON CATS IN GENERAL 221 
 
 sufficiently fed in other ways, but the contrary is the 
 case, as I have abundantly proved by experience. 
 
 Those cats that are best fed and considered in their 
 comforts make the best vermin hunters ; while those 
 starved, or half fed, have not the spirits or activity to 
 trouble about mousing, any more than human beings 
 would, in like circumstances, take much interest in any 
 kind of sport. 
 
 Cats should be well and regularly fed, like other 
 pet animals, and always have a pan of clean water within 
 reach, they will then have less craving after milk, and many 
 will take water in preference. 
 
 As regards food, some like bread and milk, not wet 
 but squeezed tolerably dry, with some milk, which is better 
 if first boiled, poured over it. 
 
 Most cats and dogs are fond of vegetables, such as 
 potatoes and cabbage, and which are good for their health 
 (as well as access to grass, which they take medicinally), 
 mixed with any scraps and gravy from the table. 
 Occasionally fish heads and other fish scraps boiled with 
 or without rice, and broken up into pieces of suitable size 
 with some of the liquor in which they have been boiled, 
 will make a nice change and be much relished. 
 
 Many cats are fond of a little oatmeal porridge some- 
 times, particularly in the colder months of the year, as 
 it is rather heating in its nature ; they will enjoy a bone to 
 pick, but game and chicken bones should not be given, 
 unless the larger ones, as there is a danger of 
 any small pieces or splinters causing internal injury, to 
 which the small intestines of cats make them rather liable. 
 
222 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 Of course kittens, when weaned, should be fed at least 
 three or four times a day ; porridge, bread and milk, a 
 little finely-minced meat. Ridge's food made as for children, 
 are all good materials, changed as the animals are found 
 to get tired of any one kind. 
 
 Milk should always be boiled, whether given alone or 
 mixed with other things, as otherwise it is thought liable 
 to cause worms, and they are very troublesome, and 
 probably bring about the deaths of more kittens and 
 puppies than any other cause. 
 
 If a number of cats are kept it is best to have a 
 room, or building, entirely for their occupation, and if an 
 outside run can be provided, wired in and protected at 
 the top from the weather, it will be all the better for the 
 health of the inmates, which can be let out there alone, or 
 not, as their sexes and tempers will permit. If an aspect 
 can be chosen, the south-east is preferred to any other, 
 cats being fond of a sunny situation. 
 
 Means should be provided for heating the building 
 in severe weather, either by hot air or water, or by some 
 kind of stove, not enough to make the place hot and 
 stufiy, and there should be plenty of ventilation round the 
 upper parts of the building, but protected from draughts, 
 frost and damp, which are very injurious to kittens and 
 adults. 
 
 I have found cheese boxes make excellent sleeping 
 places, and prefer oat straw to any other material for 
 bedding, with some disinfected sawdust sprinkled on the 
 bottom of the box beneath it, changed as often as 
 required. 
 
A FEW WORDS ON CATS IN GENERAL 223 
 
 A small shallow tin or box, with dry ashes, or 
 earth, should be included in the furniture of each pen ; if 
 this is done regularly and the pens cleaned every day, no 
 disagreeable odour will be observable, and I have had 
 fifteen or twenty cats so kept in a building, the floor of 
 which (tiles or stone for choice) was sprinkled occasionally 
 with some of the many disinfectants now procurable, and 
 a stranger coming in could not be aware there was 
 a cat in the place. I do not believe in the indiscriminate 
 use of disinfectants in the pens, as it is apt to get into the 
 food or drink ; and I have seen many cases, at shows, 
 where cats have been quite ill from its effects by being 
 carelessly used, thrown all over everything in the pen. 
 
 Cats, although naturally nervous, timid animals, are 
 fond of notice. They do not shrink away from those 
 who are kind to them, and are pleased to meet with their 
 friends wherever they are ; when I have any at shows they 
 often recognise me before I come to their pens, and are 
 not satisfied until they have been made much of. When 
 judging them I can usually tell what sort of home they 
 come from by the way they behave, and those are few and 
 far between I cannot get on good terms with in a short 
 time ; as cats and dogs too are much like children, who 
 can soon tell whether a stranger is interested in them and 
 likely to be worth cultivating as an acquaintance. 
 
 Many people have a habit of turning their cats out of 
 doors at night, this should never be done under any 
 circumstances, summer or winter, even if there are sheds 
 and outhouses they can creep into. 
 
 Not only does it make your cat a nuisance to your 
 
224 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 neighbours and yourself, but they are naturally fond of 
 warmth and comfort, and are sure to suffer in their health 
 and appearance from the exposure. 
 
 A well-fed, well-housed animal, whether horse, dog or 
 cat, should look sleek and glossy in coat and be a credit 
 to its owner, which night-prowling cats are not likely 
 to be. 
 
 There is no doubt the long-haired varieties are more 
 delicate and require greater care and attention than the 
 short-haired. 
 
 One thing they are apt to do which is very injurious in 
 preening their coats, as all the cat family, large and small, 
 are in the constant habit of doing if in good health, is to 
 lick off with their rough tongues some of the loose hair of 
 their coats, and this often causes serious internal troubles 
 by forming into pellets and balls. 
 
 To guard against this as much as possible, they should 
 be brushed gently and regularly with an ordinary hair 
 brush, with rather long bristles. I prefer cleaning the 
 coats with fine flour, to washing, which is not natural to 
 cats, and generally much resented by them. 
 
 Although I remember, when I first obtained the white 
 Manx Cat mentioned in my sketch of that variety, he 
 took up his residence for a day or so in one of our 
 chimneys, and was in consequence so much the colour of 
 a sweep that we were obliged to wash him, and I 
 was surprised to find he made much less of the affair than 
 we did, so that in all probability it was not his first 
 experience of the process. 
 
 Kittens should be left six or seven weeks with their 
 
A FEW WORDS ON CATS IN GENERAL 225 
 
 mother before being weaned, evert if they can lap and feed 
 before that time, as they will be all the better for the 
 warmth and care of their mother. All should never be 
 taken away at once ; any which are not wanted should be 
 drowned by being placed in a bucket or pail of water, 
 and another pail put into it to keep them from rising, 
 which will cause a speedy painless death. 
 
 Keep up the mother with good feeding, and rub her 
 teats gently two or three times a day. 
 
 A little fresh butter or vaseline rubbed into the teats 
 will assist in taking away the milk, which otherwise may 
 cause suffering to the cat. 
 
 I have had cats live with me for nineteen or twenty 
 years, and they are not naturally short-lived animals when 
 well cared for. 
 
 I believe that, at anyrate in this country, cats are now 
 more appreciated and of greater value than they have been 
 in the remembrance of anyone living, and I am in hopes 
 that the detailed particulars given in these sketches may 
 be useful to some of my fellow fanciers, and perhaps 
 cause some of my readers to take more interest in an 
 animal with which I have had much to do, and whose few 
 faults many are disposed to be eloquent upon, while 
 ignoring the many fascinating qualities it possesses. 
 
CHAPTER XXVIII 
 
 ANECDOTES ABOUT CATS 
 
 DURING a long career as an exhibitor I had many amusing 
 experiences, one which was not at all amusing at the time 
 was as follows : 
 
 At one of the London Cat Shows the promoter was 
 anxious to have a large entry, because some persons who 
 were interested in what was to some extent a rival under- 
 taking were trying to prevent its being a success, and as 
 I was quite a " free lance/' not pledged to any clique or 
 party, he wrote me that he hoped I would make as many 
 entries as possible. 
 
 Accordingly I sent more than usual, some fifteen or 
 twenty I think it is long since it happened and I 
 cannot be sure of the number and took a great many 
 prizes. 
 
 For some reason or other, probably a dog show some- 
 where that I had entered for, I had to leave the show before 
 its close, as it was a two or three days' affair. This was 
 not in accordance with my usual custom, as I like to see 
 all my animals not only packed but delivered to the 
 railway carriers before I leave. 
 
 The day after the show I sent my cart twice to our 
 
 226 
 
ANECDOTES ABOUT CATS 227 
 
 station but hearing nothing of the cats, wired to the 
 manager of the show with reply paid. 
 
 Back came a wire apologising for the delay and 
 saying : 
 
 "Your cats leaving by next train, sorry they were 
 overlooked." 
 
 The cart went to the station and returned triumphantly 
 with a lot of boxes and baskets. 
 
 I may mention here, as it may be a wrinkle for some 
 of my readers who are exhibitors of rabbits, cats or 
 cavies, that I used boxes of my own design for sending 
 my stuff to shows. Each of these contained four compart- 
 ments, about two feet square each, with a separate hinged 
 lid to each, fastened by a leather strap and buckle so that 
 any one could be taken out by itself at a time. Battens 
 of wood were fastened to the bottom to keep it off wet 
 platforms, etc., and they were impervious to rain, etc. 
 
 There was a strong handle like those on trunks and 
 boxes to the lid of each box to move it about with. My 
 initials, and the name of our local station were painted 
 plainly in white letters on a black ground to show where 
 it belonged. 
 
 In the few cases where I used baskets, these were 
 covered with strong canvas at sides and top to avoid 
 draughts, and provided with open wickerwork inner lids 
 to prevent an animal jumping out when the basket was 
 opened. 
 
 Of course the boxes had holes about the size of 
 a sixpence each bored all round the edges, just under the 
 lids, to give plenty of ventilation but no draught, and 1 
 
228 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 have sent rabbits, cats and cavies in this way all over the 
 kingdom without any difficulty. 
 
 To return to my story, when the boxes were opened, 
 to our intense astonishment, there was not one cat in the 
 whole of them, the boxes were all empty. 
 
 At that time I had certainly some of the most 
 valuable cats in the show world, comprising four or five 
 champions and others fit for any show, and was some- 
 what dismayed at the state of affairs. 
 
 Before I had decided whether I should return to London 
 to inquire what had become of the missing cats, another 
 telegram came from the manager of the show, saying : 
 
 "All your cats safe. Discovered the empty boxes 
 sent off in error. Sending them by special messenger to 
 Paddington, reach you to-night." 
 
 So the cart made another journey to the station, and 
 this time really brought the travellers with it, they were 
 each packed in a separate basket, and made a good 
 cartload. 
 
 I heard afterwards that all my boxes were stacked 
 together, and when the manager ordered them to be sent 
 off, his deputy did not open any of them , but took it for 
 granted the cats were inside, and so the mistake arose, 
 which was found out after the boxes were gone by seeing 
 a number of cats still in the pens. 
 
 I have had such things occur with dogs more than 
 once when I have not been there to see them despatched, 
 but I think that was the only thing of the kind I 
 remember with cats, at anyrate where there were so 
 many left behind at any show. The manager and his 
 
ANECDOTES ABOUT CATS 229 
 
 deputy have often referred to this incident and the 
 trouble it gave them. 
 
 My friend, Mr Louis Wain, whose sketches of cats 
 are so well-known, writes as follows in Living Animals of 
 the World: 
 
 " The black cat has many of the characteristics 
 of the tortoiseshell, but is essentially a town cat, and 
 is wont to dream his life away in shady corners, under 
 ground cellars, in theatres, and in all places where he 
 can, in fact, retire to monastic quiet. The Black Cat 
 of St Clement Danes Church was one of the remarkable 
 cats of London ; it was his wont to climb up to the top 
 of the organ pipes and enjoy an occasional concert alone. 
 A christening or a wedding was his pride, and many 
 people can vouch for a lucky wedding who had the good 
 fortune to be patronised by the Black Cat of St Clement 
 Danes, which walked solemnly down the aisle of the 
 church in front of the happy couples. 
 
 " My old pet, Peter, was a black and white cat, and, like 
 most of his kind, was one of the most remarkable cats for 
 intelligence I have ever known. A recital of his accom- 
 plishments would, however, have very few believers, a 
 fact I find existing in regard to all really intelligent cats. 
 There are so many cats of an opposite character, and 
 people will rarely take more than a momentary trouble to 
 win the finer nature of an animal into existence. Suffice 
 it to say, that Peter would lie and die, sit up with 
 spectacles on his nose and with a postcard between his 
 paws, a trick I have taught many people's cats to do. 
 He would also mew silent mews when bid, and wait at 
 
2 3 o RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 the door for my home-coming. For a long time, too, it 
 was customary to hear weird footfalls at night outside 
 the bedroom doors, and visitors to the house were 
 a little more superstitious as to their cause than we were 
 ourselves. We set a watch upon the supposed ghost, but 
 sudden opening of the doors discovered only the mystic 
 form of Peter sitting purring on the stairs. 
 
 " He was, however, ultimately caught in the act of 
 lifting the corner of the doormat, and letting it fall back 
 in its place, and he had grown quite expert in his method 
 of raising and dropping it at regular intervals, until he 
 heard that his signals had produced the required effect, 
 and the door was opened to admit him. Watch your 
 own cat, and you will see that he will change his sleeping 
 quarters occasionally, and if he can find a newspaper 
 conveniently placed, he will prefer it to lie upon before 
 anything, perhaps except a cane-bottomed chair, to which 
 all cats are very partial. If you keep a number of cats, 
 as I do, you will find them very imitative, and what one 
 gets in the habit of doing they will all do in time. For 
 instance, one of my cats took to sitting with his front 
 paws inside my tall hat and his body outside, and this has 
 become a catty fashion in the family, whether the object be 
 a hat, cap, bonnet, small basket, box or tin." 
 
 I remember when Mr Harrison Weir's charming 
 book, Our Cats, came out in 1889, I was much struck 
 with the account he gave (p. 87) of a cat belonging to a 
 granary at Sevenoaks, in Kent, where the distinguished 
 author then lived, catching two mice at once, and I really 
 thought his informant had " drawn the long bow." 
 
ANECDOTES ABOUT CATS 231 
 
 But some time afterwards, when I was living at Laurel 
 Bank, Downend, Gloucestershire, on going into the 
 stable, accompanied by a white and black cat, Magpie, 
 whose portrait illustrates my sketch of that variety in 
 this book, before I noticed what he was after, made 
 a dash like lightning, and I saw mice flying in all 
 directions, and on looking closely at Magpie, who was 
 standing stock still with his front paws firmly placed on 
 the ground, I noticed he had part of a mouse hanging out 
 of each side of his mouth and one held under each front claw. 
 
 So, as seeing is believing, I withdrew my doubts as to 
 the former story, and the next time I saw Mr Weir told 
 him of the confirmation it had received with one of my 
 own cat's doings. 
 
 This Magpie was the most inveterate vermin killer 
 I ever saw. It was quite a mania with him, he entirely freed 
 our premises from all rats and mice, and afterwards I gave 
 him to an old servant of ours who had married a corn 
 dealer, as she told me they were overrun with rats and 
 mice, and Magpie so distinguished himself by his 
 exploits amongst them that he was a valuable acquisition, 
 and ended his days as a treasured member of the com- 
 munity, finding ample opportunity for the display of his 
 talents. 
 
 An instance is given by Smellie of a cat that was in 
 the habit of frequenting a cupboard, the door of which 
 was fastened by a common iron latch ; a window was 
 placed near the door ; when the door was shut the cat 
 suffered no uneasiness, so soon as she was tired of the 
 cupboard she mounted on the window-sill, opened the 
 
232 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 latch of the door and came out this practice she 
 continued for years. 
 
 I think I can beat this story with one of my own 
 which applies to two different cats, both short hairs, one 
 a red tabby known at shows as Lord Rufus, but with 
 the private name of Fritz, whose portrait appears in this 
 book, and the other a black female who had the faculty of 
 generally including one pure white kitten in her litters, 
 although she had not a white hair upon her, and had won 
 many prizes in the classes for black females. 
 
 Both these cats had acquired the accomplishment of 
 taking the round door handle in their two paws and 
 turning it to open a door ; many a time when they have 
 been shut in the kitchen of a night have I known them 
 do this, when they wanted to come into the room where I 
 was sitting. 
 
 Lord Rufus, the red tabby, was fond of outdoor 
 life, and spent the days and early part of the nights about 
 the place searching for rats, mice and birds ; he would go 
 after the latter when roosting in the ivy on some of the 
 garden walls, with much success. 
 
 Laurel Tiddles, the black, had a habit which would 
 be trying to nervous persons, but, fortunately, she nearly 
 always selected me for its exercise. If she caught sight 
 of me walking anywhere about the place, she would run 
 at top speed and spring on my shoulder from behind, and 
 usually knocked off my hat with the vigour of her 
 expressions of delight at her feat. I am afraid she was 
 stolen, as she disappeared one day and I could never 
 obtain any tidings about her. One who had seen the 
 
ANECDOTES ABOUT CATS 233 
 
 performance mentioned he had observed a cat seated on a 
 table make several efforts to put her head into a long 
 narrow vessel containing milk. Finding the aperture too 
 small to admit her head, she reconsidered the situation, 
 and at last dipped one of her fore paws into the 
 milk, licked it carefully with her tongue, and con- 
 tinued to help herself in this way till her appetite was 
 satisfied. 
 
 I remember when I was in lodgings in London, my 
 landlady, who was an inveterate cat lover, had a large red 
 tabby long hair with several accomplishments, such as 
 jumping through her hands, sitting up like a dog, "walk- 
 ing like a gentleman," which consisted in strutting along 
 on the tips of his toes in a sort of mincing gait, with his 
 large tail held straight up in the air. 
 
 As a reward for this he was always given some milk 
 in a little jug, and he used to drink it in the way men- 
 tioned above, by dipping in one fore paw after the other, 
 and then licking them dry. 
 
 I read an account in the Monthly Magazine of a cat 
 that was the means of identifying murderers : 
 
 "A physician of Lyons, France, was requested to 
 inquire into the circumstances of a supposed murder, that 
 had been committed, of a woman in that city. 
 
 "In consequence of that request, he went to the house 
 of the deceased, where he found her extended, lifeless, on 
 the floor, weltering in her blood. 
 
 " A large white cat was seated on the cornice of a cup- 
 board, at the far end of the apartment, where it seemed to 
 have taken refuge. 
 
234 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 " It sat motionless, with its eyes fixed on the corpse, its 
 attitude and looks expressing horror and affright. 
 
 " The following morning it was found in the same 
 station and attitude, and when the room was filled with 
 officers of justice, neither the clattering of the soldiers' 
 arms nor the loud conversation of the company could in 
 the least degree divert its attention. 
 
 " As soon, however, as the suspected persons were 
 brought in, its eyes glared with increased fury, its hair 
 bristled, it darted into the midst of the apartment, where 
 it stopped for a moment to gaze at them, and then pre- 
 cipitately retreated under the bed. 
 
 "The countenances of the assassins were disconcerted, 
 and they were now, for the first time during the whole 
 course of the horrid business, abandoned by their atrocious 
 audacity." 
 
 It has been affirmed that the cat has no individual 
 attachment to man ; yet instances occur every day to 
 contradict this assertion. 
 
 A cat frequently recognises that individual in the 
 family who shows it the greatest kindness, and instances 
 constantly occur where it will follow persons about the 
 house and gardens like a dog. 
 
 We know a cat which was so much attached to a 
 young lady that it followed her even when out on horse- 
 back. 
 
 Pennant mentions that when the Earl of Southampton, 
 the friend and companion of the Earl of Essex in his fatal 
 insurrection, was confined in the Tower of London, he 
 was surprised by a visit from his favourite cat, which it is 
 
ANECDOTES ABOUT CATS 235 
 
 said obtained access to its master by descending the 
 chimney of his apartment. 
 
 Lawrence, in the History of the Horse, relates an anec- 
 dote of the attachment of a black cat, for the celebrated 
 Arabian horse, Godolphin. 
 
 These two animals were friends for many years, and 
 when at last the horse died, the cat had to be removed by 
 force from his dead body. She crawled away with extreme 
 reluctance, and was found dead in a hayloft some time 
 afterwards. 
 
 There was a hunter in the stables of His late Majesty 
 King George IV., at Windsor, to which a cat was so 
 attached, that when he was in the stable she would never 
 leave her usual seat upon the horse's back ; and the latter 
 was so pleased with her attention, that to accommodate 
 his little friend, he slept, as horses sometimes do, standing. 
 
 This, however, was thought to affect his health, and 
 the cat was at length removed to a distant part of the 
 country. 
 
 The cat readily associates with other domesticated 
 animals. It is no infrequent thing to see the cat and 
 dog of the house asleep on the rug in each other's 
 embraces. 
 
 A French lady taught her dog, cat, mouse and bird 
 to feed together from the same plate ; and we know how 
 often in the happy families, occasionally seen in our public 
 streets, one or more cats are included in those miscel- 
 laneous gatherings of animated nature. 
 
 A tame fox, belonging to a correspondent, not only 
 shares his meals with a neighbour's cat, but makes no 
 
236 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 objection to the saucy sparrows, and even sometimes 
 pigeons, who descend to pick up any unconsidered trifles 
 remaining from his repast. 
 
 Cats are known to have an especial talent for finding 
 their way back to a home for which they had acquired a 
 liking. I have personally known many such cases, but 
 
 * will relate one I believe to be perfectly true : 
 
 The late Mr Shor treed, Sheriff-Substitute of Roxburgh- 
 shire, once sent a cat from the neighbourhood of Jedburgh 
 to a friend in Liddesdale. 
 
 She was put into a bag, and despatched by the carriers' 
 
 * cart. Thus mewed up, it is quite impossible she could 
 from observation have acquired any knowledge of the 
 geography of the country, and yet she contrived to find 
 her way back to her old home, a distance of nearly thirty 
 miles, long before the return of the carrier. 
 
 My own idea is, that cats when at large explore the 
 surrounding country, probably for many miles, particularly 
 those cats which are allowed out at night, when few people 
 are about, and by this means become acquainted with the 
 leading features of the locality they are in, and, in case of 
 being Sent away, turn their knowledge to account should 
 they desire to return to the old home. 
 
 Nothing can exceed the affection of the mother cat, 
 for her kittens, she tends them with the utmost care and 
 is always on the watch to supply them amply with food. 
 
 If she fancies any danger threatens them, she is often 
 seen to carry them, one by one, to a place of safety, and, 
 if any are taken away from her, makes every effort to dis- 
 cover and restore the missing offspring. 
 
CHAPTER XXIX 
 
 ANECDOTES ABOUT CATS Continued 
 
 A SINGULAR instance of the provident anticipations of 
 a cat expecting a family is thus given in the Library of 
 Entertaining Knowledge : 
 
 " A short time before a cat produced kittens, she was 
 observed to hoard up several mice and young rats which 
 she did not quite kill, but lamed to prevent their escape. 
 
 " One day after dinner, when our informant was sitting 
 with a friend, the cat bounced into the room in eager 
 chase of one of her maimed prisoners, a young rat, which 
 had, it appeared from the report of the servants, been 
 some days under surveillance in a back court. 
 
 " The rat sprang up the window curtains for safety, but 
 being unable to retain its position there, was soon re- 
 captured and borne away by his conqueror." 
 
 The taking away of her kittens should never be 
 done wholly or at one time, as it invariably causes 
 much suffering to the mother from the milk provided 
 by nature for the nourishment of the kittens. This 
 is no doubt the cause, or one of them, why cats are 
 sometimes found suckling young animals of quite a 
 different race to themselves. 
 
 237 
 
238 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 Innumerable instances are recorded of this kind, 
 
 In White's Natural History of Selborne, the author 
 says : 
 
 " My friend had a little helpless leveret (young hare) 
 brought to him, which the servants fed with milk in a 
 spoon, and about the same time his cat kittened, and the 
 young were despatched and buried. The young hare 
 disappeared and was supposed to be gone the way of most 
 foundlings, killed by some dog or cat. 
 
 " However, in about a fortnight, as the owner was 
 sitting in his garden in the dusk of the evening, he 
 observed the cat, with tail erect, trotting towards him and 
 calling with little short notes of complacency, such as 
 they use towards their kittens, and something gambolling 
 after, which proved to be the leveret that the cat had 
 supported with her milk and continued to nourish with 
 great affection." In the notes to a late edition of same 
 work, instances are given of cats transferring their atten- 
 tions in rearing, and tending two young ducklings, a 
 young lark, etc. 
 
 Mr Brodrip mentions the singular circumstance of a 
 cat that had been deprived of its young adopting and 
 nursing the young progeny of a rat. 
 
 The following is given on undoubted authority from 
 a work already quoted : 
 
 <c A cat and bitch belonging to a lady chanced to have 
 young at the same time. The cat not liking the place 
 assigned to her for her kittens, carried them, without 
 having been noticed to do so, into a drawer containing 
 clothes, etc., which was soon afterwards pushed in and the 
 
ANECDOTES ABOUT CATS 239 
 
 kittens imprisoned in it. In the meantime, the bitch, 
 having gone out of doors, was either stolen or killed, as 
 she never returned to her pups. These were found out 
 and adopted by the cat. A day or two after this singular 
 adoption, the kittens were discovered in the drawer so 
 nearly starved that they all died, except one, within a 
 week. The cat, however, continued to nurse both this 
 one and her adopted pups till they were able to do without 
 her attention/' 
 
 There is probably no kind of food that cats show a 
 greater liking for than fish, and many instances have been 
 recorded of their catching them alive. 
 
 Mr Moody, of Jesmond, near Newcastle, had for some 
 years a cat in his possession that was skilful in catching 
 fish, and frequently brought them home alive. 
 
 Besides minnows and eels she occasionally captured 
 pilchards, one of which, about six inches long, was found 
 in her possession. She also contrived to teach the cat of 
 a neighbour to fish, and the two were often seen by the 
 river's side watching. At other times they were seen on 
 opposite sides of the river, not far from each other, on the 
 look-out for their prey. 
 
 The following still more extraordinary account of a 
 cat fishing in the sea appeared in the Plymouth Journal: 
 
 " There is at the Battery on the Devil's Point, a cat 
 which is an expert catcher of the finny tribe, being in the 
 constant habit of diving into the sea and bringing up the 
 fish alive in her mouth, and depositing them in the guard- 
 room for the use of the soldiers. She is now about seven 
 years old and has long been a useful caterer. It is sup- 
 
2 4 o RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 posed that her pursuit of the water rats first taught her 
 to venture into the water, to which it is well known cats 
 have a natural aversion. She is as fond of the water as 
 a Newfoundland dog, and takes her regular peregrinations 
 along the rocks at the edge of the seashore, looking out for 
 her prey, ready to dive after them at a moment's notice." 
 
 We also recollect a cat who spent the greater part of 
 her time on the banks of a stream, living on small fish 
 which she caught there, but she also, in the first instance, 
 seemed to be attracted by the water rats, whom she used 
 to pursue into the water. 
 
 My old friend and neighbour, Dr William Murray, 
 with whom I have spent many a pleasant hour, and whose 
 wife was a sister of the well-known dramatic author and 
 novelist, J. M. Barrie, told me that when he was a young 
 man he lived in a small place in Dumfriesshire, and was 
 in the habit of going to fish and sometimes to bathe in 
 the River Annan. At that time he owned a large white- 
 haired cat called Beelzebub, not from his disposition, 
 which was amiable and affectionate, but on account of his 
 appearance, which was peculiar, his colour being pure 
 white all over with a black spot or smudge covering his 
 head, face and ears, which gave a most sinister appearance 
 to his countenance. 
 
 This cat was a constant companion on his master's 
 visits to the river, and on one occasion, when the doctor 
 was bathing, he was surprised to see the cat plunge into 
 the river, swim towards him and spring on his shoulders, 
 as he frequently did on land, and in that way was borne 
 to the bank. 
 
ANECDOTES ABOUT CATS 241 
 
 Ever afterwards the cat was observed to visit the 
 river on his own account, and swim after the small fry, 
 driving them into shallow water, catching and making a 
 meal of them, and never seemed troubled with the natural 
 aversion generally felt by cats to water, but would plunge 
 boldly in and swim about like a dog. 
 
 In confirmation of my expressed opinion that cats 
 possess affection for people even more than for places, the 
 doctor told me that when, after a long absence, he returned 
 to the house, where he had left his old favourite, the cat 
 came into the room, and at once jumped on his knee and 
 showed delight at their meeting by every means in his 
 power, and, when the doctor left the house, accompanied 
 him as far as the bridge over the river, which was evidently 
 associated in his mind with their former fishing and 
 bathing experiences. 
 
 Most of us are familiar with the legend of " Puss in 
 Boots," but I think " Puss in Spectacles " is still more 
 strange and unusual. 
 
 The Deoptic and Qphthalmometric Review, certainly not 
 a likely source for fairy tales or throwing the hatchet, is 
 responsible for the following, and as the periodical 
 referred to is the organ of the British Optical Association, 
 it may be taken as thoroughly reliable : 
 
 " A well-known lady who possesses a pet Maltese cat 
 recently found her cat's eyesight begin to fail, so she took 
 him to an oculist. 
 
 "By means of a modelled representation of a mouse, 
 the oculist carefully ascertained what was the matter, and 
 was able to fit his interesting patient with suitable glasses, 
 
 Q 
 
RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 the lenses were set in gold frames specially made for the 
 purpose, and the result was so satisfactory that the eye- 
 sight of the cat became as good, or better, than before." 
 
 I have known cases of artificial limbs being fitted to 
 cattle and dogs, and false eyes and teeth supplied to the 
 latter, but I think it so unusual for artificial aids to vision 
 being supplied to any animals, that I think the above 
 worthy of mention in these pages relating to cats. 
 
 Amongst my many pets was a large and handsome 
 long-haired red tabby, who rejoiced in the aristocratic 
 name of Marmaduke when at shows, where he won 
 many prizes at different times, but when at home was 
 known as Yellow Boy, and was a sociable, amiable fellow 
 with human beings, but somewhat aggressive with his 
 own species. 
 
 I. was rather amused one day when I met one of my 
 nearest neighbours, who owned a large short-haired tabby 
 and white male, that had the reputation of being a " bit 
 of a boxer," and he said to me, " That yaller cat of yours 
 is a hot 'un, and no mistake." " How so ? " I asked. 
 "Why," he said, "he came into our garden yesterday, 
 and I'm blessed if he didn't pitch into our cat, and give 
 him a downright good hiding, on his own ground never 
 seen such a thing in my life ! " 
 
 I endeavoured to offer some apologies for the mis- 
 doings of my "yaller cat," but I firmly believe he had 
 considerably raised himself in my neighbour's opinion by 
 successfully carrying his warlike operations into the 
 enemy's camp, and that his own cat, the larger and 
 heavier animal, had gone down in his estimation at not 
 
ANECDOTES ABOUT CATS 243 
 
 being able to resist the daring intruder within his 
 gates. 
 
 The following were related to me by Mr Gosney, of 
 Leeds : 
 
 A cat belonging to Mrs Wood, an aunt of Mr 
 Gosney 's who resided at Hunslet near Leeds, was so 
 devoted to its mistress, that when her death took place 
 she refused all food or consolation, and was shortly after- 
 wards found lying dead, stretched out on the grave of her 
 mistress. 
 
 A black cat of Mr Gosney's formed a strong affection 
 for the wife and daughter of her owner, but for none else. 
 On the occasion of their going on a visit to Harrogate, 
 she was restless and disconsolate until their return, when 
 she showed her joy by every demonstration in her power. 
 
 The same cat had a great aversion to children, some 
 of whom used to come on Sunday afternoons to visit their 
 grandparents, and at such times the cat was nowhere to 
 be seen, but would make her reappearance immediately 
 after the children had taken their departure. 
 
 When I moved to my present residence, I took over 
 from the last tenant a large short-haired black cat we 
 called Lord Sultan, who lived with us until his death, a 
 few years since. He spent most of his time about the 
 place out of doors, even in wet or cold weather he seemed 
 to prefer life in the open air. 
 
 He had a great objection to being taken up, and 
 though not bad-tempered at other times, if he thought 
 he was going to be lifted, as was occasionally necessary 
 when he was wanted for any show, would throw himself 
 
244 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 down on his side and be ready with all four sets of claws 
 to lay hold of anyone attempting to touch him. He was 
 very jealous of any other male cats on the place, and had 
 several pitched battles with Silver Star, a handsome silver 
 tabby I had at that time. 
 
 This Silver Star was rather a character in his way, 
 and the terror of all the torn cats in our neighbourhood ; 
 he was let out for exercise and recreation twice a day, 
 morning and afternoon, and usually devoted most of his 
 leisure to seeking for, and polishing off, any of the cats in 
 the surrounding district, so that when I heard any un- 
 usually piercing feline cries, the first thing I asked was 
 whether Silver Star was at large, as I knew he would be 
 in the thick of any fight that was going on ; but if within 
 sound of my voice he would come back when called, 
 often in a very excited state from his recent exertions to 
 uphold his position as champion. He was a handsome cat, 
 and took many prizes during his show career. 
 
 I do not know whether other breeders have found 
 silver tabby short hairs, especially males, more inclined to 
 stand on their dignity than others, but I have had several 
 that were decidedly very warlike in their disposition. 
 
 One in particular, whose private name was Victor, but 
 in public assumed the title of " Champion Laurel King," 
 and as his father was " Champion King of the Fancy/' and 
 his mother, my " Champion Laurel Queen " (said to be 
 the best short-haired female cat of any variety ever shown, 
 and own sister to Mrs George Herring's celebrated 
 " Champion Jimmy," who probably took more first 
 prizes and specials than any other short-haired male cat 
 
ANECDOTES ABOUT CATS 245 
 
 ever brought out), he was of the most aristocratic pedigree 
 obtainable. 
 
 Whether, when he was at large, his pride of race was 
 too much for him, or whether he was short-tempered as 
 well as short-haired I cannot say, as he was always most 
 gentle and amiable with us, and I have never heard any 
 complaint of his behaviour at shows, where he was so 
 often to be seen amongst the prize-winners, as on the few 
 occasions when he was beaten, it was usually by his own 
 mother, if shown in a mixed class ; but he was dictatorial 
 and aggressive with all sorts and conditions of other 
 cats, and if he caught sight of one would dart after it 
 with all speed, and literally make the fur fly in his deter- 
 mined attack on his adversary, seeming to consider he 
 combined in himself not only a recognised champion of 
 short-haired cats, but of the race of domestic cats, when- 
 ever he found them. 
 
 In consequence of this peculiarity, I was obliged to 
 keep him in much more restricted liberty than any other 
 of my cats, as he was too valuable to be risked and did 
 not object to going long distances to meet with a foeman 
 worthy of his steel. His portrait, that of his mother and 
 uncle, appear in my sketch of the Short-haired Silver 
 Tabby Cat, and I hope will give my readers a good idea 
 of that beautiful variety, which I think has no superior. 
 
 The following will show how one of the many silly 
 prejudices which exist in the minds of those who really 
 know little or nothing about the animal, caused the 
 destruction of the cat : 
 
 " A cat which had long been remarked as one of the 
 
246 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 wildest of those frequenting a barn belonging to a farm 
 on the borders of a wood in Argyllshire, so wild, indeed, 
 as to be seldom even seen by any of the people about the 
 place, was observed on several occasions during a severe 
 frost to pass and repass into the adjacent farmhouse, 
 which caused no little surprise, as it had not for some 
 years been known either to enter or even approach the 
 premises. 
 
 " Had it not been the best season for catching birds and 
 abundance of rats and mice about the place, it might have 
 been inferred that it was impelled by hunger. 
 
 "But on one of these stealthy visits, it was found 
 snugly coiled up in the infant's cradle, to the horror of the 
 mother, who imagined, in accordance, with a popular idea 
 amongst ignorant people, that it had come with the object 
 of * sucking away the baby's breath.' 
 
 " All that could be said to persuade her of the im- 
 possibility of the cat doing this, and that it had merely 
 selected the cradle for its warmth and softness, was of no 
 avail, and orders were immediately given to all the 
 servants on the farm to kill the poor cat wherever she 
 might be found. 
 
 " Her caution and agility were long successful in saving 
 her, and though the persecution she suffered rendered her, 
 if possible, much wilder than before, yet she was not 
 thereby deterred, not even by the showers of missiles 
 which assailed her on every appearance, from paying 
 constant visits to the cradle, because it was the warmest 
 place within her knowledge, and she considered warmth as 
 indispensable as life. 
 
ANECDOTES ABOUT CATS 247 
 
 " She persisted thus in venturing to the cradle, till she 
 was at last intercepted and killed." 
 
 One of the most remarkable properties of the domestic 
 cat is the anxiety with which it makes itself acquainted 
 not only with every part of its usual habitation, but with 
 the dimensions and external qualities of every object by 
 which it is surrounded. 
 
 Cats do not at once readily adapt themselves to a 
 change of residence, but I have watched the process 
 usually adopted by those whose attachment to the family 
 is assured in reconciling themselves to such a change. 
 
 Every room in the house is surveyed from the garret 
 to the cellars, if a door is shut waiting patiently until it is 
 open to complete the survey ; ascertaining the relative size 
 and position of every article of furniture, and when this 
 knowledge has been acquired sitting down contented with 
 the new situation. 
 
 It appears to be necessary to a cat to be intimately 
 acquainted with every circumstance of the position, in the 
 same way that a general first examines the face of the 
 country in which he is to conduct his operations. 
 
 If a new piece of furniture, if even a large book or 
 portfolio is newly placed in a room which a cat frequents, 
 it walks round it, smells it, takes note of its size and 
 appearance, and then never troubles itself further about 
 the matter. 
 
 This is probably an instinctive quality, and I have no 
 doubt that wild cats, and as I have before said domestic 
 cats also that enjoy much liberty, take a survey of every 
 tree or stone, every gap in brake or thicket, and 
 
248 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 every road or path within the ordinary range of their 
 operations. 
 
 The whiskers of the cat, as in the cases of lions and 
 other large cats, enable them to ascertain the space through 
 which the bodies may pass without the inconvenience of 
 attempting an impossible passage. 
 
 A correspondent relates a case where a boy brought 
 him three young squirrels which he had taken from their 
 nest in a tall fir tree. The little creatures were placed 
 under a cat that had recently lost her kittens, and he 
 found that she at once took to them and suckled them 
 with the same care and affection, as if they had been her 
 own progeny. 
 
 At Elford, near Lichfield, the Rev. Mr Sawlay secured 
 the young leverets from a hare which had been shot. His 
 cat, which had just lost her own kittens, carried them 
 away one by one in her mouth, intending, it was supposed, 
 to make a meal of them ; but it presently appeared it was 
 maternal affection, not hunger, which impelled her prompt 
 action in the matter, as she suckled them with the utmost 
 care and attention, and brought them up as their mother. 
 
 Many of my readers will have heard of and perhaps 
 seen cats which were said by their owners to be more than 
 a match for any dog. One I remember as a boy belonging 
 to a man with I think the uncommon name of Bones, who 
 kept a barber's shop in Nicholas Street, Bristol, before it 
 was widened out and made the important thoroughfare it 
 has since become. 
 
 It was a trick with its owner to stand at the door of 
 his shaving saloon in his leisure moments with the cat on 
 
ANECDOTES ABOUT CATS 249 
 
 his shoulder, and sometimes if he saw a dog coming along, 
 particularly if alone, to let the cat down on its back ; in 
 nineteen cases out of twenty the dog, thus taken by 
 surprise, would run away howling, but one day he made a 
 mistake in his customer, jerked the cat on to a well-bred 
 bull terrier that was passing, who at once threw it off its 
 back and killed it in a few minutes. 
 
 The barber found out the owner of the dog and sued 
 him for the value of his cat, but it was proved not only 
 that the cat was the aggressor, but that it had been done 
 many times before, and the case was given against the 
 barber, with costs. 
 
 I remember my friend, R. H. Moore, the well-known 
 animal painter, telling me of an incident which occurred 
 to him. 
 
 He was out in his own neighbourhood, and being, as 
 one can see from his pictures, a keen lover of animals, had 
 one of his dogs, a Scottish terrier, with him. 
 
 When he went into a shop the woman said he had 
 better look out for his dog, as her cat was a terror to all 
 the dogs in the district. My friend told her he was not at 
 all anxious about his dog, who would take her own part 
 in the general way. 
 
 Presently the cat made a rush for the dog, and jumped 
 on her back ; she looked rather nonplussed for a moment 
 as the attack was unexpected, but then she quickly 
 reversed the order of affairs, the cat was on its back and 
 the dog standing over it, and its days would have been 
 ended then and there but for my friend's interference. 
 
 He kindly gave me the rough pencil sketches he made 
 
250 
 
 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 at the time, and which I greatly value, of what I call 
 " Turning the Tables." 
 
 I had an unpleasant experience of something of the 
 same kind with almost the first dog I ever bought with 
 my own money ; this was a Mustard Dandie whom I had 
 proved to be a good rat killer, but was not aware she had 
 an aversion to cats, until one day when she was out with 
 me, and saw one bolt down the area steps of a house in a 
 fashionable crescent, the bitch darted after her, and before I 
 could stop her, as the gate was locked, she had settled the 
 cat on its own threshold. 
 
CHAPTER XXX 
 
 ANECDOTES ABOUT CATS continued 
 
 I REMEMBER a friend of mine getting into trouble in 
 somewhat the same way. He was out with a bull terrier, 
 who ran after and killed a stray cat before he could get to 
 them : and a policeman coming along just then, he was 
 summoned and fined for cruelty to animals, although he 
 was quite powerless to prevent what took place. 
 
 Cats sometimes get into difficulties on their own 
 account. I remember one of mine, a black tabby, or 
 short-haired smoke, apparently having fallen into a tub of 
 whitewash or some such stuff at some buildings which 
 were being put up in our neighbourhood. 
 
 We cleaned off every portion of it possible, but it had 
 the effect of removing all her hair, and she was as bare as 
 those hairless dogs we sometimes see, and a most pitiable 
 object, even to her tail. 
 
 Her body was dressed all over with an oily mixture 
 to nourish the coat and exclude the air, and we had 
 the satisfaction of seeing her make a complete recovery, 
 with a better coat than before ; she was an old favourite, 
 
 251 
 
252 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 and we did not like the idea of having her destroyed, and 
 she lived to a good old age. 
 
 The same cat formed a close friendship with a cocka- 
 too and a brindled toy bull terrier, which then formed 
 part of our household ; although the dog was a sworn 
 enemy to any other cats, he and this cat would lie 
 together on the hearth-rug, and when the cat was foraging 
 at the stand forming the base of the cockatoo's perch, for 
 anything to her liking dropped by the bird, cockie would 
 slide down her pole and caress the cat with her beak, 
 and it was a favourite practice of hers on these occasions 
 to take hold of the cat's tail and run it through her beak, 
 doing it very gently, and as a sort of friendly recognition 
 of the relations between them. 
 
 We lived for many years at Laurel Bank, Downend, in 
 Gloucestershire, where we had seven or eight acres about 
 the place, and our nearest neighbour was a Mr Samuel 
 Rogers, who kept a number of prize-bred poultry, princi- 
 pally Black Hawburghs, Bantams, and Silkies, which used 
 to be running in a paddock adjoining part of our grounds. 
 Amongst our cats, at that time, was a very large and 
 handsome black Persian, a great winner of prizes, and 
 whose private name was Gipsy. 
 
 I suppose there must have been something irresistibly 
 fascinating about the chickens of the poultry I have men- 
 tioned, as on several occasions Gipsy made his appearance 
 with one of them in his mouth, to our intense annoyance, 
 as we felt there were likely to be "strained relations" in 
 consequence with our neighbours. 
 
 I went in, taking back the chicks, which were always 
 
ANECDOTES ABOUT CATS 253 
 
 quite uninjured, explained the state of the case and entered 
 into a compact with them, that Gipsy should be let out 
 for exercise and recreation twice a day, and before his 
 release a big bell (like as is seen at railway stations) should 
 be rung, to give warning of the approach of the enemy, 
 when they shut up all the smaller birds, and we never had 
 any more trouble about the matter. 
 
 Gipsy never troubled about adult birds, and I think 
 caught the others more for fun than anything else, as he 
 never attempted to eat them, or objected to their being 
 taken away after he had shown his cleverness in catching 
 them. 
 
 In speaking of Short-haired White Cats I mentioned 
 a large specimen we had called Sam that took an immense 
 number of prizes and always kept himself in the height of 
 perfection, although except at night he was rarely indoors, 
 no matter what the weather was, and never seemed affected 
 by cold, as he would go out in the snow at any time. 
 
 Although it would be supposed his noticeable colour 
 would be greatly against his success, he was the most adroit 
 bird catcher I ever saw, never catching less than one or 
 two every day, and I firmly believe he mainly got his 
 own living in that way, as he was one of the smallest 
 eaters of all our cats, but a big-bodied animal and never 
 seemed to get out of condition. 
 
 He was immensely popular with us but most unsoci- 
 able with strangers, although never bad-tempered, but 
 reserved in the highest degree. 
 
 The brown tabby, Laurel Quar, I spoke of in the 
 sketch of that variety, was purchased by a stone-cutter in 
 
254 RABBITS, CATS AND CAVIES 
 
 our district, of a boy who had been ordered to drown him 
 in the pond in a quarry, hence his name, and after he 
 came into my hands he took many prizes at our largest 
 shows, and was one of the best really brown tabbies I 
 have seen for many years, so many of that supposed 
 colour being greyish where they should be brown. 
 
 About five years since there was a man who went 
 under the name of Leonidas, who had been very success- 
 ful as a trainer of performing dogs and cats. The following 
 are some of his experiences of the latter : 
 
 " I train my dogs and cats by kindness and patience, 
 oh ! so much patience. 
 
 " The main thing is to get them to understand what 
 you want them to do, and then they do it quickly enough ; 
 I am sure dogs and cats reason up to a certain point. 
 
 " They can reason sufficiently to understand what I want 
 them to do. It isn't imitation, because I never show them 
 what I want done, but explain what I wish, and tell them 
 to do it. 
 
 " Dogs have more reason than cats, and are far easier to 
 train. 
 
 " Cats are capricious, and must be coaxed all the time ; 
 if you let a cat know you are trying to make it do a thing, 
 it won't do it ; one must always be kind to them. 
 
 "To teach them new tricks, I tell them what I want 
 done, and flatter them into doing it. For instance, when 
 I wanted to teach Mimisse, the cat, to climb up a rope 
 the full height of the stage, open and enter a basket 
 attached to a parachute, which I let loose, I hold her on 
 the rope and say, ' Up, up, up ! ' petting her all the time. 
 
ANECDOTES ABOUT CATS 255 
 
 " Soon she knew that it would please me if she would 
 go up, and up she started. When she got to the top, I 
 told her to open the basket and get in. 
 
 " She understood what I meant, because she is accus- 
 tomed to open the lid and enter a basket, held in the 
 mouth of one of my performing dogs. 
 
 " I let the parachute down very gently at first, but after 
 she had done the trick several times I could bring it 
 down as suddenly as I pleased. 
 
 " The time required for learning a new trick depends, 
 both on the nature of the trick itself and upon the indi- 
 vidual intelligence of each one of the pupils. The things 
 which look hardest to the audience are often the simplest 
 of the whole performance. I never dare to punish the 
 cats at all, they are too contrary in their disposition ; I 
 believe if I struck one of them, it would never act again. 
 
 " It takes a long time to get an idea into a cat's head. 
 When I was teaching my company the circus act, 1 almost 
 gave up in despair. The dogs act as horses and the cats 
 as riders. A dog trots round the ring, passing under a 
 chair on which sits a cat ; as the dog comes out from 
 under the chair, the cat springs on his back, and jumps 
 back on the chair when the circuit is completed. 
 
 " It is very hard for the cat to get a good grip, especi- 
 ally on short-haired dogs, and they used their claws at first 
 to keep them from falling off. This, of course, hurt the 
 dogs, and they would shake the cats off. 
 
 " It took me months of patient instruction to teach the 
 cats that they must hold on by the pressure of their legs 
 and feet, and not use their claws at all. These things 
 
256 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 require much time, patience and flattery, if success is to 
 be obtained." 
 
 " A correspondent of a once popular weekly journal, 
 under the initials R. D., and who had evidently never 
 heard of Manx cats, writes as follows : 
 
 " In the parish of Peniswick, Hamlet of Shepscombe, 
 there was some time since, and most probably there is now, 
 a singular breed of cats. 
 
 " I had an opportunity of seeing one of them in the 
 house of Mr Neville, the clergyman. These cats have no 
 tails whatever, being like some shepherd's dogs, guileless of 
 the shadow of a tail. But what is still more extraordinary, 
 they neither walk nor trot across the room, all their move- 
 ments are precisely those of the rabbit. Thus, instead of 
 walking they hop, whether at a slow or fast pace. With 
 the exception of a deficiency in the caudal appendage, the 
 animal is in all other respects a perfect cat. I could not, 
 though I made diligent inquiry, learn anything satisfactory 
 as to the origin of these animals, which have so much the 
 resemblance of a cross between bunny and grimalkin." 
 
 The above paragraph elicited a reply in a subsequent 
 number of the periodical from a correspondent, giving the 
 initials M. R., and ran as follows : 
 
 " I have much pleasure in answering an inquiry relative 
 to a race of cats without tails, one of which is stated 
 to have belonged to a clergyman at Shepscombe, 
 Glo. : 
 
 " Having lived many years in that locality, and 
 possessed one of the tailless cats, I can give you every 
 particular on the subject. 
 
ANECDOTES ABOUT CATS 257 
 
 " Mr Neville first brought a kitten without a tail from 
 the Isle of Man ; she became on growing up the parent 
 of numerous progeny. One of the kittens was given 
 to my mother, and a more gentle, amiable and affectionate 
 little quadruped never acquired the affection of a house- 
 hold. 
 
 " Her fur was light tortoiseshell in colour, and 
 remarkably soft. She was somewhat more delicate 
 than many of her grimalkin neighbours, and as re- 
 gards her tail, it was about half an inch long, merely 
 a little tuft. 
 
 " But we did not observe that the want of that natural 
 rudder prevented her from running in a straight line, 
 or climbing trees most admirably. 
 
 " Her movements were remarkably graceful and cat- 
 like in all respects, and I never observed in her actions 
 or mode of progressing the slightest similarity to those 
 of the Rabbit family. 
 
 " One or two of her kittens were nearly, if not quite, 
 without tails occasionally she had long-tailed kittens ; 
 her mother, as I have said, came from the Isle of Man." 
 
 From the foregoing I have no doubt that the cat 
 described by R. D. was a pure Manx, and the one 
 in the paragraphs above a half-bred Manx, taking 
 after the dam in tail but with the action of its long- 
 tailed sire, and the fact that such specimens are 
 occasionally exhibited in Manx and Variety Classes 
 is my reason for saying in my sketch about Manx cats 
 that all cats even born without tails are not necessarily 
 pure-bred specimens of the variety. 
 
258 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 The following extract from the Animal Biography, 
 published in 1805, although of course antiquated in 
 its language, is not without interest to the readers 
 of the present day : 
 
 " Instances are very common of cats returning of 
 their own accord to the places from whence they have 
 been carried ; though at a distance of many miles, 
 and even across rivers where they could not possibly 
 have had any knowledge either of the road or the 
 direction that would lead them to it. 
 
 " This may perhaps arise from their having been 
 acquainted in their former habitation with all the 
 retreats of the mice and the passages and outlets of 
 the house, and from the disadvantages which they must 
 experience in these particulars by changing their 
 residence. 
 
 "No experiment can be more beautiful than that 
 of setting a kitten for the first time before a looking- 
 glass. 
 
 " The animal appears surprised and pleased with the 
 resemblance, and makes several attempts at touching its 
 new acquaintance, and at length, finding its efforts fruit- 
 less, it looks behind the glass and appears highly astonished 
 at the absence of the figure. It again views itself and 
 tries to touch the image with its foot, suddenly looking 
 at intervals behind the glass. 
 
 "It then becomes more accurate in its observations, 
 and begins, as it were, to make experiments by stretching 
 out its paw in different directions, and when it finds that 
 these motions are answered in every respect by the figure 
 
ANECDOTES ABOUT CATS 259 
 
 in the glass, it seems at length to be convinced of the 
 real nature of the image. 
 
 " The same is the case with dogs at an early age. 
 
 " The sleep of the cat, though generally very slight, 
 is, however, sometimes so profound that the animal 
 requires to be shaken pretty briskly before it can be 
 awakened. 
 
 " This particularly takes place chiefly in the depth of 
 winter, and on the approach of snowy weather. At such 
 periods, as well as at some others, the cat diffuses a 
 fragrant smell somewhat like that of cloves. 
 
 "It has been remarked that the eyes of cats always 
 shine with a bright light when they are in the dark. 
 
 "It is generally supposed they can see in the dark, 
 but though this is not absolutely the case, it is certain 
 they can see with much less light than most other 
 animals, owing to the peculiar structure of their eyes, 
 the pupils of which are capable of being contracted or 
 dilated in proportion to the degree of light by which 
 they are affected. 
 
 " In the day time the pupil of the cat's eye is 
 perpetually contracted, and sometimes into a mere 
 line, for it is with difficulty that it can see by a 
 strong light ; but in the twilight the pupil resumes 
 its natural roundness, and the animal enjoys perfect 
 vision. 
 
 "It appears somewhat singular that on plunging the 
 head of a cat into water, although the animal be exposed 
 to a very bright light the pupil should become im- 
 mediately expanded to all its width. 
 
260 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 "This, however, is to be accounted for on optical 
 principles." 
 
 When the late Mr Baumgarten was at Damascus 
 he saw there a kind of hospital for cats. 
 
 The house in which they were kept was very large, 
 walled round, and was said to be quite full of them. 
 
 On inquiring into the origin of this singular institu- 
 tion, he was told that Mahomet, when he once lived there, 
 brought with him a cat which he kept in the sleeve of 
 his robe, and carefully fed with his own hands. 
 
 His followers in that place, therefore, ever afterwards 
 paid a superstitious respect to those animals, and supported 
 them in this manner by public alms, which were very 
 adequate for the purpose. 
 
 The patience, vigilance, craft, utility and cleanliness 
 of the cat have also obtained for it the highest degree of 
 protection in the Eastern mythology ; so far, indeed, that 
 it is there esteemed the noblest species of its tribe. 
 
 A curious fact in the natural history of the cat is 
 related of one belonging to Dr Coventry, formerly 
 Professor of Agriculture at Edinburgh, which was born 
 perfect in all its parts, but lost its tail by an accident 
 which took place when it was a youngster. 
 
 It had many litters of kittens, and in every one of 
 these there was one or more that was wanting in tail, 
 either wholly or partially. 
 
 The following is related by a correspondent, who 
 knew the parties concerned, the circumstances and the 
 cat, and confirms my opinion that when kindly treated 
 cats attach themselves to persons more than to places. 
 
ANECDOTES ABOUT CATS 261 
 
 The cat in question was sent when a kitten from Bath 
 to Evesham, in Worcestershire, and formed a warm 
 friendship with one of the sons of her master's opposite 
 neighbour, who was an intimate friend and often at 
 the house. 
 
 The young man left Evesham, but on his returning 
 there he referred to his little friend the cat, whose owner 
 had left the place and resided some ten miles off, and said 
 he would go and call on her owner and see if the cat was 
 still in the land of the living, and whether it would re- 
 member him. 
 
 Accordingly he made out his visit, and on his arrival 
 the delight of the cat was so great that her owner con- 
 sented to his bringing her back with him, that she might 
 enjoy his company for the rest of his visit at Evesham, 
 and she was so perfectly happy at being with him that she 
 remained on the best of terms with the pet animals and 
 birds at the strange home to which she was taken, and 
 none of them ever exhibited any annoyance or jealousy 
 at the introduction of the visitor. 
 
 She would sit on her friend's knee, and rub herself 
 against his shoulders and face, purring loudly all the 
 time. At meal times no choice morsel would tempt 
 her from his side, and at night a snug bed was prepared 
 for her and carried into her friend's bedroom, but even 
 that would not satisfy her until some article of his cloth- 
 ing was placed in the basket for her to lie on. During 
 his absence in the day time she would trot about the 
 house, seeming quite at home, and, when tired of looking 
 for her friend inside the house, would go into the garden 
 
262 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 and take up a position in one of the trees overlooking 
 the road, and there patiently await his return. Once 
 he was in sight she was happy. 
 
 Strange as the affection of this animal was, it was 
 none the less extraordinary that she should come to a 
 strange house, where all except one was quite new to her, 
 yet never for an instant appeared lost or perplexed. 
 
 She made herself a favourite with one and all, and at 
 the end of her friend's visit was sent back to her master's 
 house, where she at once fell into her old habits, probably 
 living in hopes some day again of seeing her old friend. 
 
 The following is an extract from an interesting article 
 which appeared on cats in an old number of the Illustrated 
 London News, and shows not only that there are grades 
 in cat society, but that they can, as I have often noticed 
 amongst dogs, recognise days and the voices of people in 
 whom they are interested : 
 
 " A not uncommon phrase in households is that of the 
 * parlour cat ' and the * kitchen cat,' and I believe it to 
 be an undoubted fact that there are differences in the 
 character of the creatures, which somehow prompt the 
 one to seek the cheerful light and talk of a sitting-room, 
 and the other rather to brood and nestle in the gloomier 
 but warmer regions below. 
 
 " The one is always seen conspicuously on the rug or 
 stretched upon the footstool ; the other making casual 
 appearance on the stairs and flying like a spectre on the 
 approach of anyone but the cook. 
 
 " The one creature seems to have a sort of aristocracy 
 in its nature, and it is all but uniformly the handsomer 
 
ANECDOTES ABOUT CATS 263 
 
 cat of the twain ; the other is most probably a vulgar 
 plain plebeian with its original shyness still strongly 
 present in it. 
 
 "Of my three cats two I reckon as parlour cats, and 
 the third has been by kind usage and encouragement 
 coaxed into a degree of the same familiarity. Still, how- 
 ever, the natural timidity seems unconquerable. If you 
 make a rapid motion towards the creature she bounds 
 away like a wild thing. Her two comrades, on the con- 
 trary, are frightened at nothing. 
 
 " The room, the occupants, the whole locality seem 
 their own special sphere and natural dwelling-place ; and 
 the only period of the day when the three appear to be 
 merged into a common character, is as the hour for the 
 visit of the cats' meat man approaches, when they are sure 
 to be waiting at the door, and set up their sweet voices 
 as soon as they hear that of the vendor of the food. 
 
 " It is to be remarked that they take not the slightest 
 notice of the daily cry of a rival practitioner who peram- 
 bulates the street at nearly the same time, and that on 
 Sundays, when no such visit takes place, they never appear 
 to expect the weekday ceremony, but are perfectly aware 
 of a double quantity of their accustomed food being 
 stowed away in a certain cupboard, round which they 
 cluster with arching backs and waving tails." 
 
 People sometimes complain that kittens are pretty 
 playful things, but that they lose the gentleness and 
 piquant prettiness of their youth when they mature and 
 grow into adult cats. 
 
 The complaint is most unreasonable, for the fact is 
 
264 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 that the playfulness of kittenhood (particularly with 
 healthy good-tempered cats) can be partially kept up by 
 a little encouragement even when they have grown into 
 " potent, grave and reverend seigneurs," and can be 
 induced to skip, roll and tumble in the most absurdly 
 awkward mimicry of the small fry, which in the words of 
 the late Mr Micawber have not "ceased to derive nourish- 
 ment from nature's font." 
 
 The following account of a cat and dog friendship is 
 related by a correspondent at Tottenham, who was an 
 eye witness of the scene described : 
 
 "A few days ago I was present at a pretty and 
 interesting scene at the house of a near relative. 
 
 " He is the owner of a King Charles Toy Spaniel named 
 Hoppy, and a fine tabby cat known as Toodles. 
 
 ' ' This frisky pair began their games shortly after my 
 arrival and continued at intervals during the whole after- 
 noon and evening. Never did I see cat and dog so 
 thoroughly enjoy themselves Hoppy sprang on Toodles, 
 who caught him by the neck and floored him. 
 
 "Then the order was reversed, Toodles being down. 
 Now a regular wrestling and both down together. Up 
 again, roll over each other. He making a grab at her 
 tail finds her too quick for him and is caught by his own 
 brush. 
 
 " She takes up her position with her back to the fender, 
 and as he makes his spring she throws him. He now 
 takes up the opposite position to her and the four paws 
 of each of them move with wonderful rapidity. 
 
 " The most perfect good-humour prevails ; she never 
 
ANECDOTES ABOUT CATS 
 
 265 
 
 lets her claws be seen. There is no angry growling or 
 barking. Such thoroughly good-tempered play I never 
 before witnessed between a dog and a cat, and others 
 besides the feline race might take a hint from what is here 
 recorded." 
 
CHAPTER XXXI 
 
 ANECDOTES ABOUT CATS continued 
 
 SOME years since I saw a paragraph in that popular 
 fanciers' paper, Fur and Feather^ giving short particulars of 
 a cat which had taken to quite a novel recreation, being 
 that of 'mountaineering, and its doings were duly 
 chronicled in some of the local Swiss papers : 
 
 " The cat came upon the scene suddenly and no one 
 knew from whence. It had already reached months of 
 discretion when it took up its abode and profession in 
 the mountain hospice, and was then to be seen most 
 days at the foot of the Dent du Midi, not far from 
 Salfaufe. 
 
 " Here this remarkable tabby came to meet the moun- 
 taineers on their start and followed them c like a dog ' ; 
 only dogs do not, as a rule, show any fancy for the high 
 Alps. 
 
 "It accompanied them to the very summit, and shared 
 the climbers' frugal fare. Indeed, it is supposed to be for 
 the sake of the broken fragments that this Alpine cat 
 makes its daily ascent. 
 
 266 
 
ANECDOTES ABOUT CATS 267 
 
 " Times had been bad for man and beast in the pouring 
 rains, which had very much damped the autumn joys of 
 the Swiss tourists in the Valais. 
 
 " Perhaps even cats found it hard to make an honest 
 living, but surely a daily ascent of 3185 metres for the 
 sake of a scanty lunch is to take life too seriously ; or is 
 it that in lordly contempt of the canine race, the animal 
 meant to emulate the St Bernards ? " 
 
 The two following are taken from the same paper and 
 may interest some of my readers : 
 
 " There is a gambling house in Queen's County that 
 has a cat different from the kind usually found in such 
 places ; it is about seven months old and spent nearly all 
 its life in the gaming establishment. 
 
 " From its first day in the gambling saloon the kitten 
 showed great interest in the roulette wheel, the spinning 
 ball and the whirling disc had apparently great fascina- 
 tions, and it never tired of watching the game being 
 played. 
 
 "While the croupier was whirling the ball, the 
 cat occupied a position behind the duprack, where 
 the ball could be watched, and the animal did not 
 lose sight of the ivory pellet for a moment. None 
 of the eager players watched it with more interest 
 or attention. When the roulette game doses and the 
 ball was placed in the little depression at the top 
 of the spindle the cat began to enjoy itself. He 
 knocked the ball off the pedestal, pulled it up to the 
 edge of the wheel and sent it spinning round the groove. 
 He gave the disc a whirl in the opposite direction and 
 
268 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 intently watched the wheel until the ball dropped into 
 a pocket. 
 
 " The cat then stopped the wheel, pulled the ball out, 
 and repeated the operation. 
 
 " This was continued for hours, and each time the ball 
 and wheel were watched as closely as if one of the cat's 
 proverbial nine lives depended on the result." 
 
 "A remarkable curiosity of natural history is re- 
 ported from Swanage; a cat belonging to Miss Vincent, of 
 the Victoria Royal Hotel, was the proud mother of four 
 kittens, which she was rearing in a cow shed. 
 
 " One of the servants on going to the shed was sur- 
 prised to find a rat suckling with the kittens, the cat 
 nursing the rodent with as much solicitude as her own 
 progeny. 
 
 " The interloper was remarkably tame, and it had to 
 be forcibly removed from its comfortable nest, where it 
 appeared to be on the best of terms with its feline foster 
 mother." 
 
 The following is from a correspondent, a keen lover 
 of animals : 
 
 " Some time since, calling at one of the bird shops 
 existing at that time in Great Andrew Street, Holborn, 
 to make a purchase, we saw running over the counters 
 three of the prettiest squirrels we had ever clapped eyes 
 on, quite young and very tame. Hot in pursuit of them 
 was a young black and white cat about six months old, 
 who pounced upon and caught the little creatures, one 
 after the other, in her mouth. 
 
 " The whole party was in a state of the greatest delight 
 
ANECDOTES ABOUT CATS 269 
 
 and rushed helter-skelter into a large cage, the door of 
 which stood open the owner of the shop closed the 
 cage, which had wooden sides with wires front and 
 back. 
 
 " It was most interesting to watch the motherly kind- 
 ness of the cat towards her unusual playfellows. She 
 fondled them one after the other ; licked them carefully 
 all over with her rough tongue, and turned complete 
 somersaults over their heads. They too were full of 
 antics and did much the same with her ; never have we 
 seen a prettier sight. 
 
 " Then they would all lie down tired together and curl 
 themselves up, either on the cat's back or beneath her 
 fore paws, which she raised to receive them. This cat, 
 be it observed, is an excellent mouser, which makes the 
 above-mentioned friendship all the more surprising, and 
 these gambols are of daily occurrence. 
 
 " The mother of the young cat referred to had just 
 kittened when we were there, and we advised her owner 
 to associate them with the squirrels from the first ; 
 running about together in a house in the country they 
 would afford endless amusement ; as for their tricks and 
 gambols, they would be indescribable." 
 
 My friend, Mr W. Isbell, of Clifton, who is not only 
 a keen lover of all kinds of animals but is skilful in 
 portraying their features in water-colours and oils, has 
 sent me the following amongst other of his experiences : 
 
 " When we were living at Lydney, in Gloucestershire, 
 we had a favourite female cat with one kitten, and as the 
 latter was found dead with evidently the marks of teeth 
 
270 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 upon it, we supposed the mother had tired of her 
 maternal cares and restrictions, and considered the 
 shortest way to bring them to an end was to remove 
 the cause. She was accordingly strongly suspected and 
 severely scolded for her unnatural behaviour, but no 
 punishment was administered. 
 
 " Very shortly afterwards, the cat made her way into 
 the dining-room, bearing in her mouth the body of a 
 fine freshly-killed stoat, clearly for the purpose of 
 vindicating her maternal character by the production of 
 the actual murderer of her kitten, whom she had just 
 caught and despatched. 
 
 " Some cats are very fond of exhibiting to their owners 
 the results of their prowess. A large neuter cat of ours 
 used frequently to catch chickens and young pullets and 
 bring them in alive in his mouth to prove how clever he 
 was, though they were always taken from him and restored 
 to the fowl-yard. 
 
 " For some time we had a tame pigeon we called 
 Anthony, who shared the kitchen hearthrug with a 
 cat and her kitten, and if the latter mewed when the 
 mother was absent, Anthony would go in search of her 
 and drive her to the kitten by sweeping her towards it 
 with his tail in the way pigeons are observed to do when 
 driving a hen to her nest." 
 
 I may add a note of my own experience to the above. 
 When we lived at Long Ashton, in Somersetshire, many 
 years since, we had a large female short-haired black cat, 
 and our next neighbour was Farmer Keedwell, whose 
 barton adjoined our orchards, and had a number of ricks 
 
ANECDOTES ABOUT CATS 271 
 
 of hay, corn, etc., which probably afforded a fine hunting 
 ground in the way of rats and mice. 
 
 It was a common practice when I was leaving home in 
 the mornings to find Topsy in the front garden awaiting 
 my departure with the results of her latest efforts laid out 
 for my approval, consisting of one or more dead rats ; 
 and this occurred on so many occasions and always in 
 the same place in the garden which I must pass on my 
 way to the gate, that I am sure it was done for the 
 purpose of showing she was doing her duty. This cat, 
 which by his particular desire I left behind me when my 
 friend, Mr Thomas Davy, took the place off my hands, 
 was the mother of the black tabby I before mentioned as 
 falling into the whitewash, as he kindly sent me the latter, 
 knowing what a high opinion I entertained of her 
 mother's qualities. One peculiarity of the daughter I 
 omitted to mention was her utter fearlessness with dogs, 
 and she had many hair-breadth escapes with the number I 
 kept. 
 
 I remember one occasion when I lived at Cedar 
 Lodge, Downend, and had twelve or fifteen out at 
 exercise on the lawns. At that time most of them were 
 Dandies, Skyes, Fox Terriers and Sheepdogs, with a few 
 Bulldogs and others. I was alone with my kennelman 
 only, when suddenly I noticed Lunatic, the name I 
 gave to the black tabby, sitting calmly in the centre of 
 one of the lawns quite surrounded with dogs ! 
 
 I was horrorstruck for a moment, as I knew if she 
 moved she would be torn in pieces, so shouted to 
 Hale to call off the dogs while I slowly approached 
 
272 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 the cat, picked her up, and shut her in the green- 
 house. 
 
 I am pleased to say she survived all her risks and 
 died of old age in her nineteenth year, and was well and 
 active till a few days before her death. 
 
 Mr James Kilpatrick tells a wonderful tale of a cat's 
 reasoning powers : 
 
 "I have a cat that is a great bird hunter; a few 
 days ago, while sitting in the porch of my house, I 
 noticed her digging industriously in one corner of the 
 garden. 
 
 " This was an unusual proceeding, so I kept my eyes 
 on her to see what was her object, and was surprised to 
 see her drag out a nice fat worm from the hole. 
 
 " She dug out a couple more, and then carried the 
 wriggling bunch in her mouth to the centre of the 
 garden, where she dropped them down and glided back to 
 a place of concealment. 
 
 "In a few minutes a group of sparrows spied the 
 tempting worms and swooped down on them ; that was 
 the cat's chance. 
 
 " She pounced upon them like lightning, and nabbed 
 one of the party at the first jump." 
 
 Mrs Margaret Peete, of Brooklyn, is the legal 
 guardian of a cat named Pinky, who is nine years old, 
 and came into her possession by the will of her late 
 mother, Mrs Amelia Van Vleck, who died some eight or 
 nine years since. 
 
 In her will, Mrs Van Vleck set aside 200 dollars 
 (40) per annum for the maintenance of her cat. 
 
ANECDOTES ABOUT CATS 273 
 
 Under the watchful eye and care of her guardian, 
 Pinky has grown sleek and fat, and has managed to 
 consume the proceeds of her allowance every year. 
 Tender chops and all the delicacies of the season are 
 her daily fare. 
 
 I am indebted to the Animal's Friend for the 
 following : 
 
 4 ' A young man at Eastbourne, not yet twenty-five years 
 of age, is in the last stage of slow decline, having been ill 
 for the last seven years. 
 
 "About a year ago a very small kitten entered the 
 house and was turned out again, but persisted in her 
 efforts, and was allowed to stay. It attached itself to the 
 invalid and became his constant companion. Shortly 
 afterwards a copy of the Children's Supplement was sent 
 to him with the picture of a kitten greatly resembling 
 his favourite. His mother cut out the picture, framed 
 it, and placed it on the mantelpiece. The invalid was 
 much pleased with it, and asked to have the picture 
 placed in his coffin when he died. 
 
 " This will be done, and so this little stray kitten has 
 been the means of affording pleasure and interest to the 
 last days of the invalid, and the cat has become a valued 
 member of the household with which she was so 
 determined to associate herself." 
 
 The following is from that popular paper, The People : 
 
 4 ' It is, of course, a well-known fact that animals teach 
 their young what they have learnt by experience, and 
 there can be but little doubt that those which have been 
 educated by man will at times endeavour to impart their 
 
 s 
 
274 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 knowledge to their less accomplished brethren, amongst 
 whom it frequently happens that apt pupils are found, 
 who become so proficient as to surpass their teachers 
 in the arts. 
 
 " This, however, does not appear to be the case with the 
 kitten of the next-door neighbour of one of our corre- 
 spondents, whose educated Pete was endeavouring to 
 put it through the facings of one of his great accomplish- 
 ments, as the following will show. 
 
 " Pete, the torn cat, was sitting at the back door, side 
 by side with the neighbour's kitten, which he has taken 
 under his protection. 
 
 "Presently we saw him sit up on his hind quarters, an 
 accomplishment commonly called begging, which he has 
 been taught, and does to perfection. 
 
 " He repeated this several times, all the while looking 
 at the kitten, which, in its turn, was staring at Pete with 
 all its might, until, probably frightened at such extra- 
 ordinary behaviour, it suddenly escaped over the wall of 
 the yard. 
 
 "It is permissible to infer that Pete wanted to teach 
 the kitten his accomplishment." 
 
 The AntmaVs Friend^ that rightly-named paper, is 
 responsible for the following on the vanity of cats : 
 
 " We have heard the story of the mare who was being 
 ridden along Birdcage Walk and nearly threw her rider 
 by stopping to look at her reflection in a pool of 
 water. 
 
 " The late Dr Romanes tells an interesting story of 
 cats who used to regard themselves, or their reflections, in 
 
ANECDOTES ABOUT CATS 275 
 
 looking-glasses, and at last convinced themselves of their 
 being illusions." 
 
 Now, we know that cats like to be taken notice of, and 
 the more attention they are paid the more effusively patron- 
 ising they become, until there is scarcely any part of your 
 anatomy they do not crawl over and test their claws upon. 
 
 A writer in Science Gossip says he is satisfied that an 
 intelligent cat of his, on looking in the mirror, satisfied 
 himself that it was in some way his own image. 
 
 " Even if my deduction be wrong, the first part of his 
 proceedings was so singularly like those in Dr Romanes' 
 accounts that it seems a uniform law of cat nature to act 
 in this way, and so far it may not be altogether un- 
 interesting. I put the cat on the table in front of a 
 small toilet mirror. After looking at his reflection for a 
 short time, he went behind the glass, then he returned 
 to his seat in front and watched it attentively. 
 
 " After a few moments he dashed rapidly behind it ; he 
 again returned to his place in front of the glass, and while 
 retaining his seat and keeping his eye fixed on the image, 
 he struck about behind the glass with his paw in different 
 directions. 
 
 " His next action was, I think, suggested by seeing the 
 image apparently strike with its paw also. 
 
 " Keeping his seat and retaining his eyes fixed on the 
 image, he proceeded to, if I may use the term, posture in 
 front of the glass. He raised his paws alternately, licked 
 them, touched the glass, moved his head, etc. 
 
 " I have tried to simply describe the facts and, so far as 
 possible, avoid drawing conclusions." 
 
276 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 The following has been told in confirmation of the 
 idea that cats have some presentiments of evil : 
 
 " The morning before the recent accident to H.M. 
 Destroyer Salmon, that vessel was lying alongside of 
 H.M.S. Sturgeon. 
 
 " Upon the former vessel dwelt two cats, the special 
 pets of the crew, and who had never been known to show 
 the smallest inclination to leave the ship. 
 
 "But on this particular morning, in spite of being 
 chased by the crew and worried by the dogs, the cats 
 never faltered in their determination to get off the 
 Salmon and on to the Sturgeon. 
 
 "And when the first-named destroyer had weighed 
 anchor for what was to prove the disastrous voyage, the 
 cats made one last spring as the vessels separated, and 
 landed themselves on the deck of H.M.S. Sturgeon." 
 
 The following account of a ship- wrecked cat appeared 
 in the Animal's Friend : 
 
 "When walking home from chapel one Sunday 
 morning, I observed in front of me a boy and girl, and 
 from the arm of the former something was hanging down 
 which looked like a cat's tail. 
 
 " I overtook them and found the boy had a dark 
 tabby cat in his arms, so asked them about such an 
 unusual proceeding on a Sunday morning. 
 
 " They told me their father, who was the captain of a 
 vessel, had sent them to fetch the ship's cat, thinking it 
 might feel lonely on board while the crew had all gone 
 on shore. 
 
 " It appeared that when in the Indian Ocean some 
 
ANECDOTES ABOUT CATS 277 
 
 months before this, they had come across a raft, from 
 which every human being had disappeared, and the only 
 living thing on it was this cat, so she was taken off by the 
 sailors and made a great pet on board. 
 
 " No doubt, if she had the power of speech, that cat 
 could give some thrilling accounts of what she went 
 through while alone on that raft in the ocean." 
 
 We often hear of animals saving the lives of human 
 beings, but not nearly so often of men who have risked 
 their lives to save those of animals. 
 
 A pleasant sight was seen in Dublin some short time 
 since, when a large building was in flames. 
 
 All the human beings had been rescued by the exertions 
 of the firemen, who worked with their wonted devotion 
 to duty, when the attention of the crowd was attracted by 
 the piercing cries of a cat, and on looking up they saw a 
 large black cat pacing up and down outside one of the 
 upper windows, showing signs of the greatest distress. 
 
 The leap to the ground was too great for it to attempt, 
 and the flames inside the room were burning fiercely. 
 Each moment the people below expected to see it fall and 
 be dashed on the pavement. 
 
 They were greatly delighted and excited to see one of 
 the gallant firemen run the fire escape across the road, 
 place it against the burning house, run up it, and bring 
 the poor cat safely down in his arms. 
 
 A hearty round of cheering greeted the couple, as 
 the brave fireman and the cat stood once more out of 
 danger. 
 
 We have heard of boxing kangaroos and pumas, but 
 
278 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 it is something quite out of the common to read of the 
 experiences of Mr Arthur Head, F.Z.S., as recounted in 
 Pearson s Magazine, with a performing specimen of the 
 above-named great cat. 
 
 It seems that for the last eight years the artist in 
 question has been engaged in drawing from nature the 
 eyes of every kind of animal in the cause of science. 
 
 This perilous work has been undertaken to assist Dr 
 Lindsay Johnson in a new method of classifying the 
 animal kingdom. 
 
 Many adventures have befallen Mr Head in his 
 dealings with wild animals ; not the least amusing of 
 which were his experiences with a puma, thus related : 
 
 " I happened to hear that a travelling showman was 
 exhibiting a tame puma at Mitcham Fair, and as I had 
 to take every opportunity to obtain my drawings, I 
 hastened off to interview the beast. 
 
 " I found he was advertised as a Champion Boxing 
 Puma and that he had been trained to fight in the most 
 approved style. 
 
 " The owner was most obliging when I told him I 
 wanted to draw his pet's eyes, and fastened boxing gloves 
 on his fore feet so that he should not scratch me with his 
 claws, and then made him sit up on some boxes in the 
 darkened tent. 
 
 "Thinking no harm would come of it, I put my 
 ophthalmoscope to my eye, and began to examine the 
 puma's eyes. 
 
 " A moment later a terrific blow fell on the side of 
 my head, and I was sent flying backwards. 
 
ANECDOTES ABOUT CATS 279 
 
 " The brute thought I wanted to have a boxing match 
 with him ; he not unnaturally associated the gloves with 
 fighting, and as soon as I put my head close to his, he 
 struck out. 
 
 " His master scolded him, and when peace had been 
 restored I made a second attempt, this time on the 
 lookout for the attack. 
 
 "But I had only just settled down to work, when up 
 went his paws again, and I scarcely dodged in time. 
 
 " Now the brute entered into the fun with a whole 
 heart ; he rained his blows at me, ducking his head in the 
 finest style whenever I tried to capture it. 
 
 " His defence was faultless and his right-paw swing 
 terrific. 
 
 1 could not get near him, try as I might, and the 
 more I tried the more fiercely he sparred, and so at last I 
 owned myself beaten. 
 
 " By this time, a large crowd had assembled outside 
 the tent, hearing the noise of my attempt to fight the 
 boxing puma. 
 
 " So the showman insisted on arranging a special per- 
 formance for my benefit, and, setting me on a throne of 
 honour, he opened his tent to the crowd, charging double 
 price for admission, and reaping a rich harvest thereby. 
 
 *' When I saw the puma boxing with his master, I 
 realised what a dangerous feat I had attempted ! 
 
 " I am still on the lookout for a quiet puma, who will 
 allow me to draw its eyes in the cause of science." 
 
 I must apologise for including the above amongst my 
 anecdotes, but it so strongly reminded me of the per- 
 
280 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 formances of ordinary cats under similar circumstances 
 that I have sometimes seen take place with trained troupes 
 of those animals, that I thought it might be interesting 
 although the great cat in question is not found amongst 
 its relations at the shows. 
 
 The following account of a Cat Fair appeared in the 
 paper called Travel : 
 
 " A very ancient fair, dating back a couple of centuries, 
 is held every year at Sartilly in France, and the origin of 
 its name is said to be derived from the circumstance that 
 a small farmer in the district, being behind with his rent, 
 found himself unable to pay the sum of a hundred francs 
 due to his landlord, and the latter agreed that the cow of 
 the tenant should be sold at the fair, and to accept in 
 discharge of his claim the amount produced by the sale of 
 the cow. 
 
 " The farmer accordingly proceeded to the fair accom- 
 panied by the cow and his household cat. 
 
 " To all inquirers as to the price of the cow, he told 
 them he wanted ten francs for her and a hundred 
 francs for the cat and would not sell one without the 
 other. 
 
 " At last a purchaser was found for the singular pair 
 of animals, and the landlord who also attended the fair, 
 to learn for himself the result of the deal, was so amused 
 at the ingenuity of his tenant, that he accepted the ten 
 francs with good grace, and gave him a receipt in full 
 discharge of all claims for rent. Ever since the annual 
 gathering has been known as the Cat Fair." 
 
 A correspondent of the popular paper, Our Cats, gives 
 
ANECDOTES ABOUT CATS 281 
 
 an amusing account of the vagaries of a cat with kittens 
 in a recent number : 
 
 " I should like to explain an experience I had with a 
 Persian cat. Her first kittens were taken away as they 
 were no good ; the second time she had kittens we could 
 not trace them anywhere, so we watched her very carefully, 
 and at last we heard a noise like cats in the roof. We 
 then had the roof examined, and found six beautiful 
 kittens. She got to this place in a very remarkable way, 
 down a water-spout." 
 
 In an article on clever cats and dogs in same paper 
 lately appeared the following : 
 
 " My aunt had a cat which the servants conspired 
 to kill because they thought her a witch. On more than 
 one occasion she drew her mistress's attention to dishes, 
 which had been broken and hidden by the girls, by pulling 
 at her dress, running to the place and mewing. Once when 
 she had a great many kittens my aunt said to her, ' Annie, 
 you have too many kittens, you must give me one ' no 
 sooner said than done Annie trotted off, reappearing in a 
 few minutes with the strongest, which she laid at my aunt's 
 feet. ' There, now you've got it, keep it,' she said in cat 
 language, for she would have nothing more to do with it, 
 and when put beside her, took it in her mouth and laid it 
 again before my aunt. Accordingly it was brought up on 
 the bottle, and grew into a splendid fellow in course of 
 time." 
 
To face page 282. 
 
CAVIES 
 
CHAPTER XXXII 
 
 PERUVIAN CAVIES 
 
 IT has been asserted that Guinea Pigs had no title to 
 either of the words forming their original name, as they 
 are said to have come from Brazil, not Guinea, and have 
 no relationship to any kind of pig. 
 
 In the same way I have not been able to obtain proof 
 that any of the above were imported from Peru, or that 
 they are now to be found there, but rather that those first 
 seen in this country came from the Continent of Europe. 
 
 Be this as it may, they have not been called here by 
 any other name than Peruvians, and will probably continue 
 to be called so to the end of the chapter. 
 
 When once the difficulty is got over of learning to 
 distinguish the head from the other end, they are to many 
 fanciers the most interesting of the three varieties of 
 Cavies used for exhibition, and they certainly offer most 
 scope for the display of care and attention, in turning 
 them out in show form, as I should very much doubt if 
 any variety of four-footed stock of the same weight is 
 capable of growing a coat of such length. 
 
 Perhaps the nearest to approach it in this respect is 
 
 285 
 
286 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 the Yorkshire Toy Terrier, then the Maltese Terrier, and 
 lastly the Skye Terrier, the two first-named being small 
 breeds, occasionally seen as low in weight as four pounds, 
 but a small Skye Terrier would be nine or ten pounds at 
 least, and most of the winners at the present day would 
 run to twenty pounds and over. 
 
 No one should take up this variety unless either pre- 
 pared to give them personal and individual attention, or 
 having reliable attendants, with requisite knowledge to 
 enable them to do so. 
 
 Every specimen intended for show purposes should be 
 gone over every day ; the pigs soon become used to be 
 handled, and will give no trouble at all if gently treated. 
 
 Combing must not be attempted, as the coats are very 
 lightly attached to the skin, and will soon be much 
 injured by the hair pulled out in the teeth of the comb. 
 
 I have found the best plan of dealing with them is to 
 hold them on the extended palm of the left hand, and 
 brush the coats downward with an ordinary hair brush 
 with long bristles to it (not a wire brush, which is apt to 
 have the same effect as a comb), going over it all round 
 until it feels soft and clear to the touch. 
 
 This in my opinion is better than putting the little 
 animal on a table or shelf, where it is not likely to keep 
 quite still during the operation, and may possibly pick up 
 something in its coat ; the whole affair if done daily need 
 not occupy more than a few minutes, but it will save a 
 deal of trouble afterwards. 
 
 Contrary to what may be supposed from its abundant 
 coat, this variety is thought to be the least hardy of the 
 
PERUVIAN CAVIES 287 
 
 family, and should always be kept in hutches inside a house 
 or shed of some kind, as they are not found able to stand 
 exposure to either wet or cold, and would not be likely to 
 do well, unless in a thoroughly protected position. 
 
 I consider the Peruvians are especially suited for ladies 
 to take up as a hobby, as yielding best results to those who 
 have infinite capacity for taking pains, as we know the 
 fair sex are used to in many of the forms of handiwork, 
 and such like, they have made especially their own. And 
 I am encouraged in this opinion by the fact that many of 
 the best specimens of the variety I have ever seen have 
 either been bred by ladies, or came from strains procured 
 from them. 
 
 As I said in a few introductory notes, these are in 
 comparatively few hands, and I think there is room for 
 a few enterprising exhibitors to take up the variety with 
 zeal, and seek to obtain more entries at the shows, which 
 will mean the provision of a better classification and 
 keener competition for the prizes. 
 
 I think more enthusiasm has been shown by the 
 fanciers of the other two varieties than of this, and that 
 more can be done with it than has hitherto been accom- 
 plished. 
 
 In the matter of feeding, quality is not to be sacrificed 
 to quantity, and, whatever the food given, let it be the 
 best and most nourishing of its kind obtainable. A 
 little sweet meadow hay should be given morning and 
 evening, if placed in a little wire rack within easy reach 
 so much the better, to avoid risk of its being trodden on 
 and soiled ; I have found a little bread and milk, squeezed 
 
288 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 so as not to be wet, relished with the morning meal, and a 
 few sound heavy oats ; for the mid-day meal some kind of 
 green food, of which I prefer plantains, water-cress, carrot 
 tops or roots, parsley, dandelions, chicory, comfrey, 
 broccoli or cauliflower leaves to any other, as I think the 
 less of water-producing food given to Peruvians the better, 
 it being desirable their long coats should be kept as dry 
 as possible. 
 
 For the same reason I prefer longish straw for the 
 bedding of their hutches, to hay, peat, sawdust, or other 
 materials. 
 
 At night, I advise, in addition to a little hay as 
 mentioned, a mixture of a little bran with some kind of 
 meal, either oat, barley or rice, but with an occasional 
 change, made moist enough to stick together but not wet. 
 
 Ringing the changes on the various items named, I 
 think the little creatures, if kept scrupulously clean, which 
 I take as a matter of course, will be found to do fairly 
 well. 
 
 In the matter of hutches or pens, this variety is not 
 inclined to take much exercise, and each specimen intended 
 for show should have a hutch to itself, on account of the 
 propensity I mentioned to nibble each other's coats, and 
 I have found the show pens, which can be obtained of any 
 of the contractors for penning at shows, in blocks of 
 six each, only requiring boarding of the same length and 
 a little greater width to stand them on, make the best pens 
 for exhibition stock. 
 
 I think it best not to attempt to show and breed with 
 the same animals, at anyrate more particularly the sows, 
 
PERUVIAN CAW, SELF " CH. GRAND DUKE." 
 Owner, W. A. Sherlock. 
 
 PERUVIAN CAVY, SELF " CH. LILY-WHITE." 
 Owner, S. Newlove. 
 
 To face page 289. 
 
PERUVIAN CAVIES 289 
 
 as you cannot expect to have satisfactory results if 
 you do. 
 
 The breeding stock should be kept apart from the 
 others, and their coats clipped to give them freedom and 
 comfort. Of course there is no harm, indeed it is per- 
 haps just as well to win a few prizes with those you 
 intend to use for breeding purposes, as it will enable you 
 to get good prices for their progeny, but when you have 
 commenced breeding with them it will be some time before 
 they are again fit for the show pen. 
 
 I have not found cavies as a rule much inclined for 
 drinking, apparently finding sufficient moisture in their 
 other food, but a little pure water put in their reach, in a 
 shallow pan of some kind, may be of service occasionally. 
 
 Although they will breed at a very early age, I am 
 not an advocate, especially in the case of Peruvians, for 
 allowing either sex to be used at the stud under eight or 
 nine months. 
 
 The time the does go with young often varies, but 
 may be taken at between sixty-five and seventy-five days ; 
 I have not known any less than the former, and very few 
 to exceed the latter. 
 
 The youngsters may remain with the doe for four or 
 five weeks, during at least part of which time they will 
 be found to take some of what they may find in their 
 pen besides their mother's milk. Of course the doe must 
 be well kept in condition both before and after the birth 
 of the litter, and I am in favour of lukewarm mashes, 
 bread and milk and crushed oats forming part of the daily 
 bill of fare, which will suit mother and offspring. As 
 
290 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 soon as the youngsters are weaned, when the sexes should 
 be separated, they should have as much nourishing food 
 as they will eat, not waste , and in this connection I may 
 advise any novices amongst my readers to get some of 
 the little pans with turned-in edges, which can be obtained 
 at the shops where rabbit and cage birds' food stuffs are 
 sold. As a rule they prevent the food being upset, 
 and are easily kept clean, being of glazed ware, and will 
 last for years. 
 
 I do not think I need say more in a general way about 
 the Peruvians, except to give my views as to what they 
 should be like. 
 
 The head should be broad in muzzle, rather long and 
 Roman-nosed in face from forehead to nose, the face and 
 head almost covered with the fall of hair over the fore- 
 head. 
 
 The eyes large, full and brilliant, generally dark in colour, 
 though an exception is sometimes found in pure white 
 specimens ; but I prefer a dark eye even in such cases. 
 
 The body should be long and wide, this being im- 
 portant as giving a better carriage to the coat and adding 
 to the grandeur of the specimen. 
 
 The coat should be as long as possible everywhere, at 
 the sides it should at least touch the ground, at the back 
 it should lie on the ground behind the animal, and at the 
 the head it should come well over the face. 
 
 The texture of the coat is very important, this should 
 be soft and silky to the touch, not hard and coarse as is 
 sometimes seen. 
 
 The colour, while I prefer a pure self, is not so 
 
PERUVIAN CAVY, OTHER THAN SELF " LORD SULTAN. 
 Great Prize Winner. Owner, C. H. Lane. 
 
 PERUVIAN CAVY, OTHER THAN SELF " LADY IRENE." 
 Winner of many Prizes, etc. Owner, C. H. Lane. 
 
 To face page 291. 
 
PERUVIAN CAVIES 
 
 291 
 
 material in this variety as in either of the others, as colour 
 classification is rarely given for them blacks, blues, greys, 
 whites, yellows, or combinations of some of them, are 
 perhaps those most often seen, preferred by me in the 
 order named. 
 
 Condition and general appearance ; former firm and 
 plump without being fat, and latter with well-furnished 
 coat, free from mats or tangles. 
 
 Size as large as possible without coarseness. The 
 following is my own idea as to : 
 
 STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR JUDGING 
 PERUVIAN CAVIES 
 
 Head and covering thereto 
 
 Eyes ..... 
 
 Body and shape 
 
 Coat as to length 
 
 Coat as to texture . 
 
 Colour ..... 
 
 Condition and general appearance 
 
 Size 
 
 io Points 
 10 ,, 
 20 
 
 15 
 
 20 
 
 5 
 
 10 
 10 
 
 Total 100 Points 
 
CHAPTER XXXIII 
 
 ABYSSINIAN CAVIES 
 
 I HAVE never been able to get reliable information that 
 this variety has any real connection with Abyssinia, nor 
 any reason for its being so called, as it is believed to 
 be, like its brethren, a native of Brazil, but has been 
 acclimatised and established as a distinct variety for some 
 years in this and other European countries. 
 
 It is thought to be the hardiest of the family, 
 although I think all cavies should be kept in some kind 
 of house or building, as they are very susceptible to wet 
 or cold, artificial heat is rarely necessary unless in very 
 severe weather. 
 
 Size is not nearly so important with Abyssinians as 
 with the other varieties ; indeed, the best I have ever bred 
 or seen have not been the largest, but of course, if the 
 other points can be obtained to anything approaching 
 perfection, a large specimen would be preferable to a 
 small one. 
 
 The most difficult feature to procure is a really harsh 
 coat, so many failing in this respect, and although many 
 means of artificially improving an otherwise defective 
 
 292 
 
ABYSSINIAN CAVY U CH. BOSCO." 
 Well-known Winner. Owner, J. Thompson. 
 
 ABYSSINIAN CAVY " CH. HULL LADY." 
 Owner, J. Thompson. 
 
 To face page 293. 
 
ABYSSINIAN CAVIES 293 
 
 specimen have been adopted, I think it may be said of 
 them, as we are told about poets, " they must be born, not 
 made." 
 
 Only secondary to the texture of the coat comes the 
 question of rosettes, which, for the information of any 
 novices amongst my readers, I may explain, are little 
 circular stars of hair, each distinct and prominent, about 
 the size of a florin, or larger, and dotted about all over 
 the little animals' head and body, giving a rumpled and 
 hair-brushed-the-wrong-way effect, and with short bristly 
 hair about the face and lips, making it look what it 
 certainly is not, a most savage and ferocious little brute. 
 
 Although I think there are more breeders of these 
 than of Peruvians, partly because they do not require so 
 much space and are less trouble to keep in order, I con- 
 sider they are prejudiced by being at the great majority 
 of shows thrown into competition with them, it being so 
 often that the classification is merely " Rough and 
 Smooth Cavies," when a Peruvian stands a good chance 
 of being put over an Abyssinian, unless the judge is a 'keen 
 fancier of cavies, as well as of the other descriptions of 
 <c Fur " coming under his judicial functions. 
 
 Questions of colour are, as I said about the Peruvians, 
 not deemed so important in this variety ; for my own 
 part, I prefer pure self or tortoiseshell to any other 
 shades, but, as the right sort of coat and a good distribu- 
 tion of rosettes are so much the hardest points to obtain, 
 the best-coloured specimens would have to stand back 
 unless they were also good in those respects. This 
 variety requires little preparation or grooming, it being 
 
294 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 sufficient to use an ordinary hair brush to brush the coats 
 all over, then going through each of the rosettes with a 
 small short-haired brush, a tooth brush for choice. 
 
 In all kinds of fancy stock, although a chance bred 
 specimen may turn out a " star " it is the exception and 
 not the rule, and I am sure it is the wiser course, and 
 cheapest in the end, for any intending fanciers to start 
 with well-bred animals. 
 
 I by no means advise, unless money is no object and 
 it is wished to quickly " gain the top of the tree " to give 
 long prices for noted winners, but to commence by buy- 
 ing two or three well-bred sows from some reliable 
 breeder of reputation, and sending them to some stud 
 boar known as the sire of good stock, or, if preferred, 
 getting the young sows from one breeder and a young 
 boar from another, as I am not an advocate for inbreeding 
 with any kind of stock where possible to avoid it. 
 
 By this method, with patience and perseverance, there 
 is every prospect of breeding something worth showing. 
 One advantage with this variety, as I said of Dutch 
 Rabbits, is that it can be ascertained when the litter is 
 quite young which of them are good enough to be worth 
 keeping, so that a number of " wastrels " can be got rid 
 of to the advantage of those retained and reduction of 
 expenses for keep. 
 
 I am not supposing prize-winners would be bought 
 in the way mentioned above, but if they are well bred 
 from pedigree stock, and themselves typical, there is 
 every likelihood of their breeding something good. 
 
 In selection, I should choose sows possessing plenty 
 
ABYSSINIAN CAVY" FLORENCE SECOND." 
 Winner numerous Prizes, etc. Owner, J. Thompson. 
 
 ABYSSINIAN CAVY "LAUREL LEOPOLD. 
 Owner, C. H. Lane. 
 
 To face page 295. 
 
ABYSSINIAN CAVIES 295 
 
 of size and type ; and a boar with those points strongly 
 developed which are most deficient in the sows, such as 
 well-moustached face, bright or well-distributed colours, 
 or abundance of rosettes ; but rely on hardness of coat 
 and size, and brilliancy of the eyes, as features in the 
 sows likely to be transmitted to their progeny. 
 
 What I said as to the age of those intended to be used 
 for breeding purposes, and the mode of feeding both 
 adults and young, when dealing with Peruvians, will, I 
 think, be equally applicable to this variety, and need not be 
 repeated here. 
 
 I advocated straw as bedding for the former, but I 
 think peat moss as good as anything for Abyssinians ; I 
 am not in favour of it for Peruvians, because when it gets 
 wet I fancy it has a tendency to stain the ends of their 
 long coat, and render them unsightly, more especially those 
 wholly white, or with yellow and white, or with either of 
 those shades as the main features in their colours. 
 
 Abyssinians are usually active, bright little creatures 
 and should have roomy hutches ; a number of young 
 boars or sows may be run together if they are found 
 to agree, but not mixed sexes after five or six weeks 
 old. 
 
 In genial weather they will greatly enjoy a few hours 
 in a wirecl-in pen without bottom, only sides and tops to it, 
 placed on a grass plot, and they will amuse themselves by 
 nibbling the grass as if cut with a lawn mower, and be 
 all the better for the change and fresh air. 
 
 With these, as with all other live stock, it is most 
 important to have regular times of feeding and stick to 
 
296 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 them ; to give as much at a time as it is found they will 
 consume, and frequently change some items in the 
 dietary, however palatable they may be. 
 
 When once the correct texture of coat has been 
 obtained, and a good supply of rosettes, breeders can 
 please themselves as to the colours they may wish to go 
 in for, which can be done chiefly by care and selection 
 in mating, and very interesting results often arise. 
 
 I think perhaps I have said enough about this variety 
 in a general way, and will now give my ideas as to their 
 general appearance : 
 
 The head should be large, broad and strong, well 
 furnished with short harsh hair of as standing-off character 
 as possible, and with the same sort on forehead, between 
 eyes, over lips and under chin. The eyes should be bold, 
 prominent and shiny ; the ears rather large than small, 
 with a downward droop to their edges. 
 
 The body should be broad and deep in shoulders and 
 chest, somewhat cobby and square in hind quarters. 
 
 The coat should be hard and wiry all over the body, 
 with as many rosettes as possible, each complete in itself 
 and distinctly formed. 
 
 The condition firm and plump without fat, which is 
 apt to cause softness of coat, and general appearance 
 fierce, bristling and bellicose to a ludicrous degree. 
 
 The colour is better if Self, Tortoiseshell or Tortoise- 
 shell and White, but a specimen well resetted and with a 
 harsh coat will have a good chance, whatever its colour. 
 
 Size is not so important as quality ; perhaps most of 
 the best pigs ever seen have not exceeded three pounds 
 
ABYSSINIAN CAVIES 
 
 297 
 
 in weight, but I remember two brothers I bred and took 
 many prizes with, almost exact counterparts of each other, 
 who were about that weight. 
 
 STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR JUDGING 
 ABYSSINIAN CAVIES 
 
 Head and furnishing .... 
 
 Body and shape .... 
 
 Coat as to texture .... 
 
 Rosettes, number and form 
 
 Condition and appearance . 
 
 Colour ...... 
 
 Size, about two and a half to three pounds 
 
 io Points 
 
 10 ,, 
 
 30 
 
 20 
 
 !5 
 
 IO ,, 
 
 5 
 
 Total 100 Points 
 
CHAPTER XXXIV 
 
 BOLIVIAN OR ENGLISH CAVIES 
 
 THESE, which are far more often called English, or even 
 merely Smooth Cavies, are, strange to say, the most 
 correctly called of the three main divisions of cavies. For 
 while it is doubtful whether the Peruvians came from 
 Peru, almost certain that the Abyssinians did not come 
 from Abyssinia or even any part of the African 
 Continent, there is every probability that this variety 
 did come from Bolivia, and possibly the Peruvians and 
 Abyssinians also. Bolivia is a country in South America, 
 bounded on the north and east by Brazil, and is quite 
 adjacent to the districts from which many naturalists 
 and travellers assert all the Cavy family originally 
 came. 
 
 I mention the above for what it is worth, we know 
 that " a rose by any other name will smell as sweet," and 
 the little playmates of my childhood, then universally 
 known as Guinea Pigs, have not only acquired aristocratic 
 relations in the elegant long-coated Peruvians and the 
 fierce-looking, resetted Abyssinians, but have joined the 
 aristocratic clique by the fashionable practice of changing 
 
 298 
 
BOLIVIAN OR SMOOTH CAVY, SELF " CH. WHAT'S WANTED.' 
 Owners, Messrs Tee and Hanslip. 
 
 BOLIVIAN OR SMOOTH CAVY, SELF " CH. DAISY." 
 Owner, F. W. Walker. 
 
 Tojacepage 298. 
 
BOLIVIAN OR ENGLISH CAVIES 299 
 
 their old misnomer to that of " Bolivian Cavies," almost 
 equalling in its corresponding qualities the well-known 
 names of " Messopotamia " or the " poultry, potatoes, 
 prunes and prisms" in Dickens's delightful Little 
 Dorrit. 
 
 I believe I should speak within the mark if I said 
 there are more of this variety in the possession of breeders 
 and exhibitors than of the other two varieties put together, 
 not only because they are very little trouble to keep, but 
 from their greater variations in colour, and their several 
 subdivisions, upon which I propose to say a few words, 
 taking them roughly as, Self, Agouti, Tortoiseshell, 
 Tortoiseshell and White, Dutch-marked, and Any Other 
 Varieties. 
 
 BOLIVIAN SELF-COLOURED CAVIES 
 
 These, as far as I am aware, were unknown in the 
 early days of the fancy, and probably in the land of their 
 origin were seldom or ever seen, and the early 
 pioneers of the variety obtained prices that would make 
 some of our forebears rub their eyes if they heard of such 
 figures for a guinea pig. I think Blacks, Whites, Reds, 
 Creams and Browns are the Self most often seen, the first 
 three named especially so. 
 
 Of course, it is important there should not be even a 
 hair of any other shade than the body colour, and this 
 was for a long time the difficulty breeders had to contend 
 with. 
 
300 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 Many a litter have I bred in the early days, and found 
 to my dismay, that the Blacks had a few red hairs ; the 
 Whites with a small black spot or smudge on the forehead, 
 or perhaps one of the feet ; the Reds develop a white 
 star on the face ; or the Creams and Browns have a dash 
 of yellow somewhere. 
 
 But breeders have a much easier task before them now, 
 as there are plenty of the assured strains of the different 
 Self colours from which to work, and in consequence 
 the youngsters can be obtained on very reasonable 
 terms. 
 
 I sent out some time since a large batch of breeding 
 stock Bolivian Blacks, Reds and Agoutis, and some 
 Abyssinians to a nephew in Kansas, U.S. A., from which he 
 has bred hundreds of well-bred youngsters, and I have 
 since had many letters from him, saying that he has been 
 able to " sweep the board " at all the shows in his part of 
 the country, and had sold hundreds of his stock to other 
 fanciers. 
 
 I shall give with this sketch some illustrations of 
 well-known winners amongst Selfs which will give an idea 
 of their appearance. 
 
 I will give a brief description of the several points 
 desired in a perfect specimen, which will apply to all the 
 Bolivian specimens, as the subdivisions I have referred to 
 are mainly questions of colour. 
 
 The head should be large, without "stop," the line 
 from the forehead to the nose with an outward curve, 
 forming what is commonly known as a Roman nose. 
 
 The ears turned over at upper edge, fairly 
 
SMOOTH, SELF " CH. BLACK BESS." 
 Owner, A. Foster. 
 
 To face page 300. 
 
 SMOOTH, SELF "BLACK BOY. 
 Owner, C. H. Lane. 
 
BOLIVIAN OR ENGLISH CAVIES 301 
 
 large, but with a graceful carriage and nearly bare 
 of hair. 
 
 The eyes almost round, with slightly oval eyelids, large- 
 sized and brilliant in expression. 
 
 The neck so short as almost to be absorbed in the deep 
 wide shoulders. 
 
 The back broad, well filled out and substantial, with 
 hardly perceptible drop between the shoulders and latter 
 end. 
 
 The hind quarters strong and well formed. 
 
 The coat should be plentiful, but short and glossy in 
 appearance and soft to the feel. 
 
 The condition should be hard and firm, not fat, 
 and the appearance dignified, stately and contented- 
 looking. 
 
 The colour according to the subdivision in which they 
 are entered, without intermixture of the shades. 
 
 The size as large as obtainable without coarseness. 
 
 BOLIVIAN OR ENGLISH AGOUTI CAVIES 
 
 The Agoutis may be subdivided into golden and 
 grey, some are in favour of one, others of the other 
 shade. 
 
 For my part, I like them both very much and have 
 had many of each sort ; but I expect you would see ten 
 of the former to one of the latter. 
 
 The golden should be a rich golden yellow under- 
 neath, with black ticking all over the head, body and 
 
302 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 even legs and feet, the belly being usually of the golden 
 yellow only. 
 
 Great advances have been made in the last fourteen 
 years when I think the first of this colour made their 
 appearance not only in the colour and ticking, but in the 
 size ; the forerunners of the beautiful little creatures now 
 seen being mean and snipy in heads, mixed and blurred in 
 colour, and wanting in size and dignity. 
 
 The greys should be a beautiful silvery grey under 
 coat, with black tickings throughout in the same way as 
 the golden, making much the same shade as is associated 
 with a little animal many of my readers may have seen, 
 known as the ichneumon, and which has the reputation of 
 being a terrible foe to alligators by eating their eggs and 
 young ones when it can meet with either. Both the 
 Agoutis are very popular, and at shows where they have 
 not a class to themselves, a good specimen is often a hard 
 nut to crack in a class of mixed colours of Smooth 
 cavies or in Any Other Variety classes, as they have quite 
 a distinctive style of their own, and command attention 
 from all genuine cavy fanciers. 
 
 BOLIVIAN OR ENGLISH TORTOISESHELL CAVIES 
 
 The Tortoiseshell, as may be gathered from its name, 
 should have but three colours red, black and yellow ; 
 but anyone looking at a class of them would be surprised 
 to see how many changes may be rung upon them. 
 
 The several marks or patches making up the shade 
 should join but not mix, and the more separate marks 
 
SMOOTH GOLDEN AGOUTI CAVY " CH. KING OF THE YUKON.''' 
 Owners, Messrs Wright and Ford. 
 
 SMOOTH GOLDEN AGOUTI CAVY "SISTER LAURA." 
 Owner, C. H. Lane. 
 
 To face page 302 
 
SMOOTH GREY AGOUTI CAVY " GREYFRIAR." 
 Owner, C. H. Lane. 
 
 SMOOTH TORTOISESHELL CAVY " CH. SUREFOOT.' 
 Owner, J. Thompson. 
 
 To face page 302. 
 
BOLIVIAN OR ENGLISH CAVIES 303 
 
 there are the better the specimen will be, at anyrate in 
 colour, and some breeders assert that a downright good 
 Tortoiseshell is as hard to produce as any kind of cavy of 
 the Bolivian tribe. 
 
 I cannot say that the breeders of Tortoiseshells have 
 had much encouragement in their hobby, as when with 
 infinite pains they have produced a fair specimen it has 
 often been thrown out, on the ground that it did not 
 come up to the ideal fixed by the National Cavy Club, by 
 having slight tints of colours other than the three named. 
 
 I do not mean white, for that of course must be 
 tabooed for the sake of the Tortoiseshell and Whites, which 
 have an extensive following, and are often very beautiful 
 little creatures. But such shades as brown or brindle, 
 which sufficiently harmonise, if present in a slight degree 
 only, with the other colours, so as not to spoil the general 
 effect of the whole. 
 
 No doubt perfectly-marked Tortoiseshells are rare, and 
 when seen should be made a note of ; but with the vast 
 army of breeders at work in this and other countries I 
 am not at all in despair about them, indeed I have had 
 some more than fair specimens before me to judge in 
 1902, and hope their owners were satisfied that, their 
 merits - received due recognition, as only those who have 
 attempted to breed them can appreciate the difficulties to 
 be overcome and the number of litters which have to be 
 produced before one appears which is likely to fill the 
 eye of the judge. Knowing what has been accomplished 
 in the last fifteen years, I am not despondent of seeing 
 the Tortoiseshell problem solved. 
 
3 o 4 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 BOLIVIAN OR ENGLISH TORTOISESHELL AND WHITE 
 CAVIES 
 
 I believe if the public, apart from cavy fanciers or 
 those interested in them as breeders or exhibitors, were 
 asked which colour they admired most of all in the 
 Bolivian or English classes, the majority would declare in 
 favour of this variety, as they are often very pleasing in 
 appearance. 
 
 I have little or no doubt they are easier to breed of 
 good quality than either Tortoiseshells or Agoutis, but 
 they are regarded with so much favour by many judges 
 that a good tricolour is very often seen in the money in' 
 mixed classes. 
 
 Although, according to the standard, three colours only 
 are supposed to be allowed, many I think will be found 
 with four, namely red, black, yellow, or brown, and 
 white, and I am not at all sure this is not as they should 
 be, as blacks, reds, yellows and browns are certainly 
 found in true tortoiseshell, from which they derive the 
 first part of their name, and the same holds good in 
 respect to tortoiseshell cats, whether long or short 
 haired. 
 
 I suppose an ideal specimen should have a consider- 
 able preponderance of tortoiseshell to a limited amount of 
 white in its markings, but although the patches of each 
 join, they should be clear and distinct, without inter- 
 mixture. 
 
 Say a tortoiseshell head with white blaze and chin, 
 white chest, one or more white patches on body ; belly, 
 
SMOOTH TORTOISESHELL AND WHITE CAVY " CH. LADY SARAH.' 
 Owner, J. H. Lilley. 
 
 SMOOTH TORTOISESHELL AND WHITE CAVY " CH. ELEGANCE. 
 Owner, J. S. James. 
 
 To face page 304. 
 
SMOOTH TORTOISESHELL CAVY " SIR LUCIUS." 
 Owner, C. H. Lane. 
 
 SMOOTH TORTOISESHELL AND WHITE CAVY " CH. GALTEE MORE." 
 Owners. Messrs Bousfield Brothers. 
 
 To face page 304. 
 
BOLIVIAN OR ENGLISH CAVIES 305 
 
 legs and feet partially white ; ears dark, and general 
 effect and mingling of the colours forming a harmonious 
 whole. 
 
 I think the original " guinea pigs" were more like 
 this variety than any other colour, and this probably 
 arose from the indiscriminate mating amongst them in 
 a wild state of nature. 
 
 Probably those who had no experience of cavy breeding 
 might suppose it would be easy enough to produce this 
 variety with a white or only partially-marked boar and a 
 tortoiseshell sow, but I am assured by others, in confirma- 
 tion of my own experience, that the best specimens have' 
 not been produced in this way, as it is found in the 
 majority of cases that too great preponderance of the 
 colour of the one or the other of the parents in the colour 
 of the offspring is the result. 
 
 Of course it is advisable, whatever materials are used, 
 to ascertain the antecedents of the pigs to be mated, and, 
 if they come of well-marked stock, as, even if closely 
 related in blood, the effects of this may be corrected by 
 an after outcross, securing the advantages of inherited 
 markings and avoiding the risk of loss of constitution by 
 the inbreeding. 
 
 As I have said elsewhere in these sketches, I 
 am not in favour of inbreeding as a rule, in any 
 kind of live stock breeding, but sometimes it has to be 
 adopted where some marked characteristic must be pre- 
 served, even if it is to be corrected by outcrossing 
 afterwards. 
 
 I think the variety under notice has had considerable 
 
 u 
 
306 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 success of late years, and I shall give illustrations of some 
 of those which have taken honours under many of our 
 judges, which will convey a better impression of what 
 Tortoiseshell and Whites should be like than any more 
 lengthy descriptions of the variety on my part ; but I 
 think it offers a wide field for experiment on the part of 
 breeders, as to the best method of producing the desired 
 combination cf colours in order to introduce more prize- 
 winners at our shows. 
 
 BOLIVIAN OR ENGLISH DUTCH-MARKED CAVIES 
 
 This is another variety of comparatively recent date, 
 and one entailing patience and skill on ( the part of breeders ; 
 but I think their efforts have met with much success, as 
 I have been surprised to see how many very fairly-marked 
 specimens have appeared in the pens. 
 
 Of course the ideal pig is one marked in the same 
 way as a Dutch Rabbit should be, but although what is 
 commonly known as " a Sabbath day's journey " would 
 have to be taken before meeting with one correct in all 
 points, there is no doubt that wonderful progress has been 
 made towards the desired result. 
 
 Colour must always be a matter of taste, and although, 
 as far as I have owned or seen, the best Dutch-marked 
 specimens have hitherto been red with white markings, 
 there is no reason why blacks or yellows should not be 
 produced equally good. 
 
 And as I think the best Dutch Rabbits I have ever 
 

 *1P 
 
 AW JWi 
 
 SMOOTH CAVY, ANY OTHER COLOUR " LORD PIEBALD." 
 Owner, C. H. Lane. 
 
 SMOOTH CAVY, ANY OTHER COLOUR" LORD BLAZE." 
 Owner, C. H. Lane. 
 
 To face page 306 
 
BOLIVIAN OR ENGLISH CAVIES 307 
 
 seen have been black with white markings, so I should 
 prefer cavies with the same colours, to any others, if the 
 markings were correctly placed. 
 
 As I said of the last variety, so I may repeat of this, 
 that it affords scope for experimental breeding ; although 
 on the ground of like producing like, I should advise 
 having one, if not both, of the parents with a marked 
 tendency to Dutch mode of colouring ; but if not obtain- 
 able on both sides, choose it with the dam as likely to 
 produce type and shape, leaving depth of colour, etc., to 
 the sire. 
 
 The illustrations will give fair representations of some 
 of the best specimens I have been able to secure, to show 
 what has been achieved in the production of prize-winners 
 in this variety already. 
 
 BOLIVIAN OR ENGLISH CAVIES ANY OTHER VARIETY 
 
 As I have in the foregoing sketches lightly touched 
 on most of the varieties usually provided with classes even 
 at the larger shows, all the rest must come into this 
 category. 
 
 Perhaps with the exception of Brindles, which for 
 some reason or other do not seem to be holding the place 
 in public favour accorded to them some years since, the 
 others may be almost termed the misfits of those already 
 noticed. 
 
 It is difficult if not impossible to summarise all the 
 various types seen in Any Other Variety classes, as they are 
 
308 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 
 
 made up of a mixture of every kind of colour and 
 marking known in cavydom. 
 
 As in other kinds of live stock, it is always a very 
 unsatisfactory class for judges and exhibitors ; in the case 
 of the former it is best to look for the winners amongst 
 those that approach the nearest to the type to which they 
 seem to belong ; and with the latter to refrain from 
 entering at all, unless the specimen, irrespective of colour, 
 is well shaped and typical as a cavy, and has some dis- 
 tinctive character in its markings, as piebald, skewbald, all 
 white with a black, red or yellow head, or some unusual 
 feature of that kind likely to draw attention to its merits, 
 such as they may be. I have seen a red or a black with 
 a white blaze only, win in such a class, indeed have 
 more than once taken prizes with such a specimen, but 
 entering in this class must necessarily be more of a 
 lottery than even the usual vicissitudes of an exhibitor's 
 life. 
 
 As I have already given a brief description of the 
 several qualities desired to obtain a near approach to per- 
 fection with these little animals, and my ideas about the 
 several subdivisions into which they are sometimes classi- 
 fied, and have already mentioned in the case of the 
 Peruvians what I have found suitable in the way of food, 
 housing and mating, which will mainly apply to all the 
 Cavy family, I need only add a scale giving my views 
 as to the value of the several points suggested in these 
 slight sketches of what has become such a popular 
 section of the fancy with a great number of people at 
 home and abroad. 
 
' 
 
 : 
 v 
 
 SMOOTH DUTCH-MARKED CAVY " CH. KLONDYKE." 
 Owner, J. Blackburn- 
 
 SMOOTH DUTCH-MARKED CAVY " CH. MONARCH." 
 Owner, J. H. Lilley. 
 
 To face page 308. 
 
BOLIVIAN OR ENGLISH CAVIES 
 
 309 
 
 STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR JUDGING BOLIVIAN 
 OR ENGLISH CAVIES 
 
 Head 
 
 Eyes .... 
 
 Coat .... 
 
 Shape 
 
 Colour 
 
 Condition and appearance 
 
 Size 
 
 10 Points 
 
 10 
 
 20 
 
 '5 
 
 20 
 
 10 
 
 15 
 
 Total 100 Points 
 
INDEX 
 
 ABYSSINIAN Cats, 203 
 Cavies, 292 
 
 Agouti Cavies, 301 
 
 Anecdotes about Cats, 226 
 
 Angora Rabbits, 88 
 
 Any Other Colour Long-haired Cats, 159 
 , , Short-haired Cats, 2 1 8 
 
 Smooth Cavies, 307 
 
 BELGIAN Hare Rabbits, 30 
 Black Cats, Long-haired, 134 
 
 ,, ,, Short-haired, 161 
 
 ,, and Tan Rabbits, 48 
 
 , , and White Cats, Short-haired, 1 86 
 Blue Cats, Long-haired, 137 
 
 ,, Short-haired, 166 
 
 and Tan Rabbits, 49 
 Bolivian Cavies, Self-coloured, 299 
 ,, Agouti, 301 
 ,, Any Other Coloured, 
 
 307 
 
 ,, Dutch-marked, 306 
 ,, Tortoiseshell, 302 
 ,, Tortoiseshell and 
 
 White, 304 
 
 CATS, 
 
 Anecdotes about, 226 
 Long-haired, Any Other Colour, 
 
 159 
 
 Black, 134 
 ,, Blue, 137 
 
 ,, Brown Tabby, 144 
 
 ,, Chinchilla, 142 
 
 ,, Cream - coloured, 
 
 139 
 
 ,, Orange Tabby, 150 
 
 Red Tabby, 150 
 
 ,, Silver Tabby, 147 
 
 ,, Smoke, 153 
 
 ,, Tortoiseshell, 156 
 
 White, 131 
 
 Cats, Short-haired, Abyssinian, 203 
 ,, Any Other Colour, 
 
 218 
 
 ,, ,, Black, 161 
 
 ,, ,, Black and White, 
 
 1 86 
 
 Blue, 1 66 
 
 Brown Tabby, 175 
 
 Indian, 211 
 
 ,, Manx, 199 
 
 ,, Mexican Hairless, 
 
 209 
 ,, Narrow - striped 
 
 Tabby, 181 
 
 ,, ,, Red Tabby, 169 
 
 ,, ,, Siamese, 205 
 
 ,, ,, Silver Tabby, 172 
 
 5 j > Smoke, 184 
 
 ,, ,, Spotted Tabby, 178 
 
 , ,, Tabby and White, 
 
 191 
 
 Tortoiseshell, 194 
 
 >? 5> and 
 
 White, 196 
 
 ,, >, White, 163 
 
 ., and Black, 
 
 187 
 
 Wild, 213 
 Cavies, Abyssinian, 292 
 Bolivian Smooth, 298 
 Peruvian, 285 
 Concluding Remarks about Rabbits, 1 18 
 
 DUTCH-MARKED Cavies, 306 
 Rabbits, 83 
 
 ENGLISH Rabbits, 93 
 
 FEW Words on Cats in General, 220 
 Flemish Giant Rabbits, 72 
 
 HIMALAYAN Rabbits 77 
 
312 
 
 INDEX 
 
 JAPANESE Rabbits, 58 
 
 INDIAN Cats, 211 
 Introductory, 3 
 
 LONG-HAIRED Cats, 131 
 Lop-eared Rabbits, 21 
 
 MANX Cats, 199 
 
 Mexican Hairless Cats, 209 
 
 NARROW-STRIPED Tabby Cats, 181 
 
 PATAGONIAN Rabbits, 53 
 Peruvian Cavies, 285 
 Polish Rabbits, 62 
 
 RABBITS, Angora, 88 
 Belgian Hare, 30 
 Black and Tan, 48 
 Blue and Tan, 49 
 Dutch, 83 
 English, 93 
 Flemish Giants, 72 
 Himalayan, 77 
 Japanese, 58 
 Lop-eared, 21 
 Patagonian, 53 
 Polish, 62 
 Siberian, 68 
 Silver Brown, 113 
 Fawn, 1 08 
 Grey, 98 
 Red Tabby Long-haired Cats, 150 
 Short-haired Cats, 169 
 
 SHORT-HAIRED Cats, 161 
 Siamese Cats, 205 
 Siberian Rabbits, 68 
 Silver Brown Rabbits, 113 
 
 Fawn Rabbits, 108 
 
 ,, Grey Rabbits, 98 
 
 ,, Tabby Long-haired Cats, 147 
 
 ,, Short-haired Cats, 172 
 Smoke Long-haired Cats, 153 
 
 Short-haired Cats, 184 
 Spotted Tabby Short-haired Cats, 178 
 
 TABBY, Long-haired, Brown, 144 
 Orange, 150 
 
 Red, 150 
 
 ,, Silver, 147 
 
 Short-haired, Brown, 175 
 Narrow - striped, 
 
 181 
 
 Red, 169 
 
 Silver, 172 
 
 Spotted, 178 
 
 and White, 191 
 
 Tortoiseshell Bolivian Cavies, 298 
 Long-haired Cats, 156 
 
 ,, Short-haired Cats, 194 
 
 ,, and White Short-haired 
 
 Cats, 196 
 
 , , and White Bolivian Cavies, 
 
 304 
 
 WHITE and Black Short-haired Cats, 
 
 187 
 
 ,, Long-haired Cats, 131 
 Short-haired Cats, 163 
 
 Wild Cats, British, 213 
 
 THE END 
 
 Colston & Coy. Limited, Printers, Edinburgh. 
 
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