Of all animals when young, there is none more prettily playful and amusing than the Kitten, and little children are mostly very fond of them; but it generally changes its disposition as it grows older. From being naturally ravenous, it learns in time to disguise its appetite, and to seize the favourable moment for plunder. Sly and artful, it has learned to conceal its intentions till it can put them in force: and whenever the opportunity occurs, it directly seizes upon whatever it finds, flies off with it, and remains at a distance till it thinks its offence is forgotten. Instances of the fidelity of Cats, however, are not so rare as some would have us imagine. A French traveller had an Angora Cat, a native of Egypt, which kept by his side in his solitary moments; she often interrupted him in his meditations by affectionate caresses, and in his absence sought and called for him with great inquietude. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ THE WILD CAT. [Illustration: THE WILD CAT. ] The hair of the Wild Cat is soft and fine, and of a pale yellow colour, mixed with grey; a dusky-coloured line runs along the back, from its head to its tail; the tail is thick, and marked with bars of black and white. It is larger and stronger than the tame Cat, and its fur much longer. It inhabits the most hilly and woody parts of this island, lives in trees, and hunts for birds and small animals, such as rabbits, hares, rats, mice, moles, &c.; and it is also very destructive among poultry. The Cat seems to possess something like an additional sense, by means of its whiskers. These whiskers consist not only of long hairs on the upper lips, but also of four or five others standing up from each eyebrow, and also two or three on each cheek; all of which, when the animal erects them, make, with their extremities, so many points in the compass of a circle as to be at least equal in extent to their own bodies. With this assistance, it is supposed it can at once discover whether any hole or space is large enough to admit the body, which to those living in a wild state is of the greatest consequence; and to the domestic Cat of great service. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ THE WEASEL. The length of this animal does not exceed seven inches: its height is two inches and a half. The most usual colour of the Weasel is a pale reddish brown on the back, sides, and legs; the throat and belly are white. This animal is very common, and well known in this country; it is destructive to young birds, poultry, and rabbits, and is a keen devourer of eggs. It will follow a young hare, which becomes so terrified as to give itself up to it without resistance, making at the same time the most piteous outcries. [Illustration: THE WEASEL. ]