_Tommy._--Why, then, perhaps the cat did not know the cruelty she was guilty of in tearing that poor bird to pieces? _Mr Barlow._--No more than the bird we have just seen is conscious of his cruelty to the insect. The natural food of cats consists in rats, mice, birds, and such small animals as they can seize by violence or catch by craft. It was impossible she should know the value you set upon your bird, and therefore she had no more intention of offending you than had she caught a mouse. _Tommy._--But if that is the case, should I have another tame bird, she would kill it as she has done this poor fellow. _Mr Barlow._--That, perhaps, may be prevented. I have heard people that deal in birds affirm there is a way of preventing cats from meddling with them. _Tommy._--Oh dear, sir, I should like to try it. Will you not show me how to prevent the cat from killing any more birds? _Mr Barlow._--Most willingly; it is certainly better to correct the faults of an animal than to destroy it. Besides, I have a particular affection for this cat, because I found her when she was a kitten, and have bred her up so tame and gentle that she will follow me about like a dog. She comes every morning to my chamber-door and mews till she is let in; and she sits upon the table at breakfast and dinner as grave and polite as a visitor, without offering to touch the meat. Indeed, before she was guilty of this offence, I have often seen you stroke and caress her with great affection; and puss, who is by no means of an ungrateful temper, would always pur and arch her tail, as if she was sensible of your attention.