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Show 212 DR. HAMILTON ON THE WILD CAT FROM IRELAND. [Mar. 3, Wild Cat being indigenous to Ireland, I wrote to Mr. Tegetmeier for further information, and he has kindly allowed me to examine the skin. As far as can be judged by external marks, I have no hesitation in saying that this skin from Donegal is only another of the many specimens which from time to time have been recorded as Wild Cats, but which are only the offspring of domestic Cats that have run wild and have bred in the woods and mountains of the district. It is a well-ascertained fact that the progeny of these Cats, after two generations, always assume the grey, brindled, or tabby fur; but the difference in the tail and feet in the wild species (Felis catus) is very distinct. Many of our early English naturalists who have written upon the subject have stated that the Wild Cat is to be found in Ireland. But neither Pennant nor Bewick gives Ireland as its habitat. Sir W . Jardine says:-" In Ireland it abounds in similar situations as in England and Scotland, that is in the mountainous districts," but his only authority was information derived from his brother, an officer stationed with his regiment in the west of Ireland. Bell, in the edition of 'British Quadrupeds,' 1837, says "some parts of Ireland." This remark is repeated in the edition of 1864, without further comment, although at that date it had been well ascertained that the animal did not exist in Ireland. Mr. Thompson, in his 'Natural History of Ireland,' says : - " The Wild Cat (Felis catus) cannot with certainty be given as a native animal." Mr. Thompson appears to have thoroughly investigated the matter ; and his opinion is of great importance. H e says the largest Cat he ever saw, which weighed 10 lb. 9 oz., was shot in a wild state at Shanes Castle; this specimen was Felis catus in everything but the form of the tail, which was not bushy at the end, and the fur, which was finer in texture. In the Larne Journal, Feb. 1839, it was reported that the Wild Cat was found in Tullamore Park, and also used to frequent the shores of Ballintrae ; " but on questioning Mr. Creighton, Lord Roden's game-keeper, he informed me that he had never seen this species in Ireland." He was able to compare this Cat with two Wild Cats which had been brought to him in the flesh by his relative Mr. Langtrey, which had been killed a few days previous in Aberdeenshire ; and he says it was as strong in every respect as that animal but of a lighter grey colour, and he says the animal appeared to be a genuine hybrid between Felis catus and the domestic Cat. Further investigations since Thompson's time all tend to prove the non-existence of this species in the sister island. Sir Victor Brooke writes:-"A well-authenticated instance of the occurrence of the true Wild Cat in Ireland has never been recorded. Several specimens of Cats closely resembling in markings the Wild Cat have from time to time been produced as veritable examples, but upon inspection by naturalists they have invariably proved to be descendants of tame Cats run wild, perhaps for several generations. These beasts attain a great size, and very closely assimilate to the true Wild Cat in their form and coloration." |