rabbits, horses of a blue-gray, or spotted with blue on a pink flesh
colour, as in the naked horse shown at the Crystal Palace some years
ago, also pigs; and all these have likewise broken colours of blue, or
black, and white. I do not remember having seen any blue cattle, nor any
blue guinea-pigs, but no doubt these latter will soon exist. When once
the colour or break from the black is acquired, it is then easy to go on
multiplying the different shades and varieties of tint and tone, from
the dark blue-black to the very light, almost white-gray. In some places
in Russia, I am told, blue cats are exceedingly common; I have seen
several shown under the names of Archangel, and others as Chartreuse and
Maltese cats. Persians are imported sometimes of this colour, both dark
and light. Next kin to it is the very light-gray tabby, with almost the
same hue, if not quite so light-gray markings. Two such mated have been
known to produce very light self grays, and of a lovely hue, a sort of
"morning gray"; these matched with black should breed blues. Old male
black, and young female white cats, have been known to produce kittens
this colour. There is a colony of farm cats at Rodmell, Sussex, from
which very fine blues are bred. Light silver tabby males, and white
females, are also apt to have one or so in a litter of kittens; but
these generally are not such good blues, the colour being a gray-white,
or nearly so, should the hair or coat be parted or divided, the skin
being light. The very dark, if from brown-black, are not so blue, but
come under the denomination of "smokies," or blue "smokies," with
scarcely a tint of blue in them; some "smokies" are white, or nearly so,
with dark tips to the hair; these more often occur among Persian than
English cats, though I once had a smoky tabby bred from a black and a
silver tabby. Importations of some of the former are often extremely
light, scarcely showing any markings. These, and such as these, are very
valuable where a self blue is desired. If these light colours are
females, a smoke-coloured male is an excellent cross, as it already
shows a weakened colour. For a very light, tender, delicate, light-gray
long-haired self, I should try a white male, and either a rich blue, or
a soft gray, extremely lightly-marked tabby.
As a rule, all broken whites, such as black and white, should be
avoided; because, as I explained at the commencement of these notes on
blues, the blue is black and white _amalgamated_, or the brown withdrawn
from the colouring, or, if not, with the colours breaking, or becoming
black and white. If whole coloured blues are in request, then
parti-colours, such as white and black, or black and white, are best
excluded. Blue and white are easily attainable by mating a blue male
with a white and black female.
The best and deepest coloured of the blue short-haired cats are from
Archangel. Those I have seen were very fine in colour, the pelage being
the same colour to the skin, which was also dark and of a uniform
lilac-tinted blue. Some come by chance. I knew of a blue English cat,
winner of several prizes, whose parents were a black and white male
mated with a "light-gray tabby" and white; but this was an exception to
the rule, for strongly-marked tabbies are not a good cross.
BROWN TABBY.
For the purpose of breeding rich brown black-striped tabbies, a male of
a rich dark rufous or red tabby should be selected, the bands being
regular and not too broad, the lighter or ground colour showing well
between the lines; if the black lines are very broad, it is then a
black, striped with brown, instead of a brown with black, which is
wrong. With this match a female of a good brown ground colour, marked
with dense, not broad, black bands, having clear, sharply defined edges.
Note also that the centre line of the back is a distinct line, with the
brown ground colour on which it is placed being in no way interspersed
with black, and at least as broad as the black line; by this cross
finely-marked kittens of a brilliant colour may be expected. But if the
progeny are not so bright as required, and the ground colour not glowing
enough, then, when the young arrive at maturity, mate with a dark-yellow
red tabby either male or female.
Very beautiful brown tabbies are also to be found among the litters of
the female tortoiseshell, allied with a dark-brown tabby with narrow
black bars. It is a cross that may be tried with advantage for both
variety and richness of colour, among which it will not be found
difficult to find something worthy of notice.
WHITE.
Of English, or short-haired cats, the best white are those from a
tortoiseshell mother, and as often some of the best blacks. These whites
are generally of soft yellow, or sandy tint of white. Although they have
pink noses, as also are the cushions of their feet, they are not
Albinos, not having the peculiar pink or red eyes, nor are they
deficient in sight. I have seen and examined with much care some
hundreds of white cats, but have never yet seen one with pink eyes,
though it has been asserted that such exist, and there is no reason why
they should not. Still, I am inclined to think they do not, and the pale
blue eyes, or the red tinted blue, like those of the Siamese, take the
place of it in the feline race; neither have I ever seen a white horse
with pink eyes, but I find it mentioned in one of the daily papers that
among other presents to the Emperor of Russia, the Bokhara Embassy took
with them ten thoroughbred saddle-horses of different breeds, one of
them being a magnificent animal--a pure white stallion with _blue eyes_.
The cold gray-white is the opposite of the black, and this knowledge
should not be lost sight of in mating. It generally has yellow or light
orange eyes. This colour, in a male, may be crossed with the
yellow-white with advantage, when more strength of constitution is
required; but otherwise I deem the best matching is that of two
yellow-white, both with blue eyes, for soft hair, elegance, and beauty;
but even a black male and a white female produce whites, and sometimes
blacks, but the former are generally of a coarse description, and harsh
in coat by comparison. I think the blue-eyed white are a distinct breed
from the common ordinary white cat, nor do I remember any such being
bred from those with eyes of yellow colour.
ABYSSINIAN.
To breed these true, it is well to procure imported or pedigree stock,
for many cats are bred in England from ordinary tabbies, that so nearly
resemble Abyssinian in colour as scarcely to be distinguished from the
much-prized foreigners. The males are generally of a darker colour than
the females, and are mostly marked with dark-brown bands on the
forehead, a black band along the back which ends at the tip of the tail,
with which it is annulated. The ticking should be of the truest kind,
each hair being of three distinct colours, blue, yellow, or red, and
black at the points, the cushions of the feet black, and back of the
hind-legs. Choose a female, with either more red or yellow, the markings
being the same, and, with care in the selection, there will be some very
brilliant specimens. Eyes bright orange-yellow.
ABYSSINIAN CROSSES.
Curiously coloured as the Abyssinian cat is, and being a true breed, no
doubt of long far back ancestry, it is most useful in crossing with
other varieties, even with the Persian, Russian, Angora, or the
Archangel, the ticking hues being easy of transmission, and is then
capable of charming and delightful tints, with breadths of beautiful
mottled or grizzled colouring, if judiciously mated. The light tabby
Persian, matched with a female Abyssinian, would give unexpected
surprises, so with the dark blue Archangel; a well-ticked blue would not
only be a novelty, but an elegant colour hitherto unseen. A deep red
tabby might result in a whole colour, bright red, or a yellow tint. I
have seen a cat nearly black ticked with white, which had yellow eyes.
It was truly a splendid and very beautiful animal, of a most _recherche_
colour. Matched with a silver-gray tabby, a silver-gray tick is
generally the sequence. A yellow-white will possibly prove excellent.
Try it!
WHITE AND BLACK.
For white and black choose evenly marked animals, in which white
predominates. I have seen three differently bred cats, white, with black
ears and tails, all else being white, and been informed of others. I
failed to notice the colour of the eyes which came under my own
observation, for which I am sorry, for much depends on the colour of the
eyes in selection; for though the parents are white and black, many gray
and white, tabby and white, even yellow and white will appear among the
kittens, gray being the original colour, and black the sport.
BLACK AND WHITE.
A deep brown, dense black ground, with a blaze up the face, white nose
and lips, should be chosen--white chest and white feet. Get a female as
nearly as possible so marked, and being a dense blue-black, both with
orange eyes, when satisfactorily marked, and sable and white kittens may
be expected.
BLUE TABBY.
A slate colour, or a blue male cat, mated with a strongly black-marked,
though narrow-banded blue or gray tabby, is the best for dark blue
tabbies, or a light-gray, evenly-marked female may be used. What a
lovely thing a white cat, marked with black stripes, would be! It may be
got.
SPOTTED TABBY.
For spotted tabby the best brown are those got by mating a spotted red
tabby, the darker the better, and a brown and black spotted female.
These should be carefully selected, not only for their ground colour,
but also for the roundness, distinctness, blackness, and arrangements of
their spots.
For grays, blues, and light ash-coloured tabbies, the same care should
be exercised, the only difference being the choice of ground colours.
FANCY COLOURS.
By other odd and fanciful combinations, many beautiful mottles and
stripes may be secured, and strange, quaint, harmonious arrangements of
lines and spots produced according to "fancy's dictates;" but the
foregoing are the chief colours in request for exhibition purposes, and
most of the colour marking. In any other colour classes, the beauties,
whatever they may be, are chiefly the result of accident or sports,
selected for such beauty, or in other ways equally interesting.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
CAT AND KITTENS.
Care and attention is necessary when the cat is likely to become a
mother. A basket or box, half filled with sweet hay, or clean oat straw,
with some flannel in the winter, is absolutely requisite, and a quiet
nook or corner selected away from light, noise, and intrusion. Some
prefer a box made like a rabbit-hutch, with sleeping place, and a barred
door to one or both compartments which may be closed when thought
necessary for comfort and quiet. The cat should be placed within, with
food and new milk by or inside, and there be regularly fed for a few
days, all pans and plates to be kept well washed, and only as much food
given at a time as can be eaten at one meal, so that everything is clean
and fresh. Cats, as I have before stated, delight in cleanliness,
therefore this, nor any comfort, should not be forgotten or omitted, for
so much depends on her health and the growth of her little family, with
regard to their future well-being.
The cat brings forth three times a year, and often more. The time of
gestation is to sixty-three days, and the number of the kittens varies
much. Some will have five to six at a birth, while others _never_ have
more than two or three. I had a blue tabby, "The Old Lady," which never
had more than _one_. The cat, however, is a very prolific animal, and,
if of long life, produces a very numerous progeny. _The Derby Gazette_,
December 10th, 1886, states:--"There is a cat at Cromford, the age of
which is nineteen years. It belonged to the late Mr. Isaac Orme, who
died a few months ago. The old man made an entry of all the kittens the
cat had given birth to, which, up to the time of his death, numbered
120. It has now just given birth to _one_ more. It will not leave the
house where the old man died, except to visit a neighbouring house,
where there is a harmonium; and when the instrument is being played, the
cat will go and stand on its hind-legs beside the player."
Cats live to various ages, the oldest I have seen being twenty-one
years, and the foregoing is the greatest age at which I have known one
to breed. But I am indebted to Mrs. Paterson, of Tunbridge Wells, for
the information that Mr. Sandal had a cat that lived to the
extraordinary age of twenty-four years. I have seen Mr. Sandal, and
found that such was the case. It was a short-haired cat, and rather
above the usual size, and tabby in colour.
When littered, the kittens are weak, blind, deaf, helpless little
things, and it appears almost impossible they can ever attain the supple
grace and elegance of form and motion so much admired in the
fully-developed cat.
The state of visual darkness continues until the eighth or ninth day,
during which the eyesight is gradually developing. After this they grow
rapidly, and, at the age of a few weeks, the gamboling, frolicsome life
of "kittenhood" begins, and they begin to feed, lap milk, if slightly
warm, when placed in front of them.
No animal is more fond and attentive than the cat; she is the most
tender and gentle of nurses, watching closely every movement of her
young. With the utmost solicitude she brings the choicest morsels of her
own food, which she lays before them, softly purring, while with gentle
and motherly ways she attracts them to the spot while she sits or
stands, looking on with evident satisfaction, full of almost
uncontrollable pleasure and delight, at their eager, but often futile
attempts and endeavours to eat and enjoy the dainty morsel. Yet nothing
is wasted, for after waiting what appears to her a reasonable time, and
giving them every encouragement, and with the most exemplary patience,
she teaches them what they should do, and how, by slowly making a meal
of the residue herself, frequently stopping and fondling and licking
them in the hope they will yet make another effort. What can be more
sensitively touching than the following anecdote, sent to _The Animal
World_ by C. E. N., in 1876? It is a little poem of everyday life, full
of deep feeling and feline love.
"I have a small tabby cat, very comely and graceful. Being very fond of
her kitten, she is always uneasy if she loses sight of it if only for a
short time. For the last six weeks, the mother, failing to recall the
truant back by her voice, even returns to the kitchen for the lower
portion of a rabbit's fore-leg, which has served as a plaything for some
time. With this in her mouth, she proceeds to search for her lost one,
crying all the time, and, putting it down at her feet, repeats her
entreaties, to which the kitten, allured by the sight of its plaything,
generally responds. Owing to its gambols in the open air during the
inclement weather, the kitten was seized with an affliction of the
throat; the mother, puzzled with the prostration of its offspring,
brought down the rabbit's foot to attract attention. In vain; the kitten
died. Even now the loving mother searches for the rabbit's foot, and
brings it down."
An instance of the peculiar foresight and instinct, so often observable
in the cat, is related in _The Animal World_, October, 1882. Miss M.
writes: "This house is very old, and big impudent rats often appear in
the shop, so a cat is always kept on the premises. Pussy is about five
years old, and is a handsome, light tortoiseshell, with a pretty face
and coaxing ways. A month ago she had three kittens, one of which was
kept; they were born in the drawing-room, by the side of the piano. When
the two were taken away, pussy carried the one remaining to the
fireplace, and made it a bed under the grate with shavings. When a
fortnight old, both were removed downstairs to the room behind the shop.
One day last week an enormous rat appeared; pussy spied him, and set up
her back; but her motherly instinct prevailed. She looked round the
shop, and, finding a drawer high up a little way open, she jumped with
her kitten in her mouth, and dropped it into the drawer, after which she
descended and fought a battle royal with the rat, which she soon
despatched and carried to her mistress, then went back to the drawer and
brought out her kitten."
Here is another fact as regards the observation of cats, which possibly,
in this respect, is not far different from some other domestic animals.
"A gray and white cat, 'Jenny' (a house cat), had three kittens in the
hollow stump of an old ash-tree, some distance from the house. There,
from time to time, she took them food, and there nursed them. One day,
looking from the window, I observed a very heavy storm was approaching,
and also, what should I see but Mistress 'Jenny' running across the
meadow as fast as she could, and, on her drawing nearer, I noticed that
she had one of her kittens in her mouth. She ran past and put the kitten
into a small outhouse, when she immediately hastened back, and returned
bringing another of her kittens, which she put in the same place. Again
she started for the wood, and shortly reappeared bringing her third and
last kitten, though more slowly, seemingly very tired. I was just
thinking of going to help her, when she suddenly quickened her pace and
ran for the outhouse; just then a few drops of rain began to fall. In a
few moments a deluge of water was falling, the lightning was flashing,
the thunder crashed overhead and rumbled in the distance, but 'Jenny'
did not mind, for she had her three kittens comfortably housed, and she
and they were all nestled together in an apple basket, warm and dry.
Surely she must have known, by instinct or observation, that the storm
was coming."--From my Book of "_Animal Stories, Old and New_."
Should it be deemed necessary to destroy some, if not all of the litter,
which, unfortunately, is sometimes the case, it is not well to take away
the whole at once; but it is advisable to let a day or two intervene
between each removal; the mother will thus be relieved of much
suffering, especially if one at least is left for her to rear, but two
is preferable. Still, when the progeny are well-marked or otherwise
valuable, and large specimens are required for show or other purposes,
three kittens are enough to leave, though some advocate as many as five;
but if this is done it is better to provide a foster-mother for two, for
which even a dog will often prove a very good substitute for one of the
feline race. In either case, slightly warm new milk should be given at
least three times a day; the milk should not be heated, but some hot
water put to it, and as soon as their teeth are sufficiently grown for
them to be of use in mastication give some raw beef cut very small and
fine. Some prefer chopped liver; I do not; but never give more than they
can lap or eat at each meal. This liberal treatment will make a
wonderful difference in their growth, and also their general health and
strength; and being so fed makes them more docile. And it should be
borne in mind that in a state of nature cats always bring raw food to
their young as soon as they are able to eat; therefore raw meat is far
the best to give them--their dentition proves this.
[Illustration]
KITTENS.
Kittenhood, the baby time especially of country cats, is with most the
brightest, sprightliest, and prettiest period of their existence, and
perhaps the most happy. True, when first born and in the earliest era of
their lives, they are blind, helpless little things, dull, weak, and
staggering, scarcely able to stand, if at all, almost rolling over at
every attempt, making querulous, fretful noises, if wakeful or cold, or
for the time motherless. But 'tis not for long; awhile, and she, the
fondest of mothers, is with them. They are nestled about her, or amid
her soft, warm fluffy fur, cossetted with parental tenderness, caressed,
nurtured, and, with low, sweet tones and fondlings, they are soothed
again and again to sleep.--They sleep.--Noiseless, and with many a
longing, lingering look, the careful, watchful, loving creature slowly
and reluctantly steals away; soon to return, when she and her little
ones are lost "in the land of dreams." And so from day to day, until
bright, meek-eyed, innocent, inquiring little faces, with eager eyes,
peep above the basket that is yet their home. One bolder than the others
springs out, when, scared at its own audacity, as quickly, and oft
clumsily, scrambles back, then out--in--and out, in happy, varied, wild,
frolicsome, gambolsome play, they clutch, twist, turn, and wrestle in
artless mimicry of desperate quarrelling;--the struggle over, in
liveliest antics they chase and rechase in turn, or in fantastic mood
play; 'tis but play, and such wondrous play--bright, joyous, and light;
and so life glides on with them as kittens--frisky, skittish, playful
kittens.
A few more days, and their mother leads them forth, with many an anxious
look and turn, softly calling in a subdued voice, they halting almost at
every step; suddenly, oft at nothing, panic-stricken, quickly scamper
back, not one yet daring to follow where all is so oddly strange and
new, their natural shyness being stronger than the love of freedom.
Again, with scared look and timid steps, they come, when again at
nothing frightened, or with infantile pretence, they are off,
"helter-skelter," without a pause or stay, one and all, they o'er and
into their basket clamber, tumble in, turn about and stare with a more
than half-bewildered, self-satisfied safety look about them. Gaining
courage once more, they peer about, with dreamy, startled, anxious eyes,
watching for dangers that never are, although expected. Noiseless comes
their patient, loving mother; with what new delight they cling about
her; how fondly and tenderly she tends them, lures, cossets, coaxes, and
talks, as only a gentle mother-cat can--"There is no danger,
no!--nothing to fear. Is she not with them; will she not guard, keep and
defend them? There is a paradise out there; through this door; they must
see it. Come, she will show them; come, have confidence! Now,
then--come!" When followed by her three little ones, and they with much
misgiving, she passes out--out into the garden, out among the lovely,
blooming, fragrant roses, out among the sweet stocks and the
damask-coloured gilly-flowers, the pink daisies, brown, red, and orange
wallflowers, the spice-scented pinks, and other gay and modest floral
beauties that make so sweet the soft and balmy breath of Spring. Out
into the sunshine, almost dazed amid a flood of light, warmed by the
glowing midday sun. Light above, light around and everywhere about;
while the sweet-scented breezes come joy-laden with the happy wild
birds' melodious songs; wearied with wonderment, under the
flower-crowned lilacs they gather themselves to rest. How beautiful all
is, how full of young delights; the odorous wind fans, soothes, and
lulls them to rest, while rustling leaves softly whisper them to
sleep--they and their loving mother slumber unconscious of all things,
and with all things at peace. There, stretched in the warm sunshine
asleep, possibly dreaming of their after-life when they are kittens no
longer, they rest and--sleep.
Their young, bright life has begun; how charming all is, how peaceful
under the young, green leaves, bright as emeralds; about them
flickering, chequering lights play with the never-wearying, restless
shadows; they know of nothing but bliss, so happy, they enjoy
all--sweet-faced, gentle-eyed and pretty. Happy, there is no other word.
"Happy as a kitten." "Sprightly as a kitten." As they sleep they dream
of delight, awake they more than realise their dreams.
[Illustration]
OF KITTENS IN GENERAL.
Kittens usually shed their first teeth from five to seven months old,
and seldom possess even part of a set of the small, sharp dentition
after that time. When shown as kittens under six months old, and they
have changed the _whole_ of their kittenhood teeth for those of the
adult, it is generally considered a fairly _strong_ proof that their
life is in excess of that age, and the judge is therefore certainly
justified in disqualifying such exhibit, though sometimes, as in other
domestic animals, there occurs premature change, as well as inexplicable
delay.
Kittens are not so cleanly in their habits as cats of a mature growth;
this is more generally the case when they have been _separated from the
mother-cat_, or when removed to some place that is strange to them, or
when sufficient care is not taken, by letting them out of the house
occasionally. When they cannot from various reasons be so turned out, a
box should be provided, partly filled with dry earth, to which they may
retire. This is always a requisite when cats or kittens are valuable,
and therefore obliged to be kept within doors, especially in
neighbourhoods where there is a chance of their being lost or stolen.