that for many
years they had been gradually diminishing in numbers, and it was now
almost certain that the fierce beast which had caused them so much
alarm, was the last of her race in that part of the country. Wild-cats
are always much larger than the tame animals, but this creature was one
of the largest that had ever been seen or heard of. She was really a
formidable beast, and since she had taken up her abode in the
neighbourhood, she had done a great deal of mischief to the farmers by
killing their poultry, and even their young lambs. She had often been
chased by the gamekeepers and others, but long experience had made her
so watchful and cunning, that she had always escaped with her life,
though she had sometimes smarted a little from a few shot penetrating
her skin. But her fur was so thick and close that small shot could not
injure her much, unless fired from a very short distance, and she took
care that her enemies should not approach too near.

[7] The wild-cat is now almost, if not quite extinct in England,
except in the northern parts. It is still, however, to be met
with in Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. But the numbers of these
animals that have been killed in different parts of the country
have no doubt been much over-rated, as it is well known that the
domestic cat will sometimes stray into the woods, bringing forth
its young there, living on birds and small quadrupeds, and
becoming a terrible destroyer of game. When, therefore, one of
these half-wild cats happens to resemble the true wild-cat in
colour, (which is an indistinct tabby,) it is at once pronounced
to be a specimen of that animal. But Mr. Bell, (who, however,
differs from almost all other naturalists on this point,)
considers that the native wild-cat of Britain is quite a distinct
species from the domestic cat, and that the latter does not owe
its origin to the wild animal at all, though from what country
the breed has been derived he is at a loss to determine.

Such dreadful tales did Leatherwing relate of the extraordinary cunning
and fierceness of this hideous animal! When he had finished, the
squirrels became so terrified that they ran and hid themselves in their
snug retreat, declaring to each other that they never should be happy
till they were sure that the monster had been killed. They were
particularly uneasy too about their young ones, wh