18 APRIL 1896, Page 15

CAT-STORIES.

[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."] .SIR,—Anecdotes about doge and cats are no new things, but it is a new experience for a cat to do "sentry duty" while waiting for rats. In Checkley parish, at the time this is written, a little girl has a favourite bantam hen, with which the house cat has long been accustomed to play. The -" bantam" has increased and multiplied, and sleeps with her family in a coop on the ground, into which rats would have no difficulty in entering. At bedtime, however, pussy takes 4ap her residence, and the bantam, the young brood of chickens, and pussy sleep in happy harmony nightly. If any rata arrive, probably their experience would be " sad and