The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-06
From the London Daily Mail.

IHNHERE have been published from l time to time anecdotes of rescue = work among the cats and dogs
 of Flanders. accompanied in some cases
 by portraits of waifs retrieved from a life of vagabondage and mendicancy. Mir. Atkins is noted for his kindness to animals, and that his affections are not influenced by either beauty or blameless descent is patent to anyone who has ever visited the soldier ex- hibits at station dog show in India The situation of these hapless victims of the war has stirred the compassion of all animal lovers, and to them it will be welcome hearing that the relief of the cats at any rate has been sensi- bly, organized by those practical crea- lures themselves. The following ir- stances are all vouched for by trust worthy witnesses, and have been col lected direct from those witnesses; none lis even second hand.
 Cats are in the majority among the strays; their vitality is a proverb, and 1t is well known that their numbers do not decrease. Their outlook on life is severely practical-in fact, detrsctors call 1t by a harsher name. The collapse of the building containing the hearth to which she was attached, the disappear ance of the dispensers of victuals and drink, and the prevalence of atmos- pheric disturbances of an alarming na- ture soon convinced such a reasonable animal of the precariousness of life
 above ground Not far from the ruins of her home she might come upon a race of human beings living like rab- bits In deep, complicated burrows ard
 she would at once grasp the advantages of the system No one ever saw her ar rive; with her sisters, her cousins, ard their combined offspring she insinua ted herself into her new abode and was soon very much at home. Meals were fairly regular, comfort and shelter as- sured, and there were always bits of sacking to lie upon. On cold nights a cosy corner might be found close up against the shoulders of a sleeping sol dier, though this sometimes led to up- heavals, as on one occasion when an officer started into life and vigor under the impression that the loud purring be- side his ear was the buzzing of hos tile aeroplane.
 The waking hours simply teemed with | interest. Often sappers on night work repairing trenches found themselves accompanied by an inquisitve little cat. and a four-legged delegate was gem orally present te superintend the arrival of stores or ammunition. An officer TO- | lates that one night when we'll within ho ga hv ha Q s.f a German flare a black and white kit ten sitting close beside looking on with the pleased expression of a spectator at l a firework display Yet there is nothing foolhardy or reckless about these prowl- CTS; they combine discretion with val our, as was proved by one middle aged 1 tabby that was seen prudently making l her way to the rear during bonn bardment. When observed she was walk ing delicately along a narrow plank across a trench, exhibiting no signs Of | unseemly haste, but merely possessed of a judicious purpose. She will prob. l ably live to write her memoirs.
 Besides the cat there are her poor relations, the rabbits-a family not noted for courage. They, too, have 1 learned philosophy in diversity, or else that fatalism defined by some as the refuge of the weakminded. In the gar
 den of a ruined farm a goat and a party l of rabbits, the sole inhabitants were
 found demolishing what was left of a lettuce bed. The paws of the rabbits
 were stained yellow from lyddite. and
 at the time the British entered Ger
 man shells were dropping unpleasantly
 near In fact, 1t was presently necessary l to take cover. and while sheltering un-
 der a bank the officer in command, on looking round, saw one of the yell | low footed bunnies crouching near him, l its ears tucked well back into its shoulders. It quite understood the art of taking cover, and until the lettuces | were exhausted meant to stick to its post.
 l On another occasion a fine. fat rab- 1 bit. left in lonely possession of de- serted farm, was made a pet of by the soldiers. For some days fortune smiled upon it, but fate eventually overlook it in the form of a prowling dog. and in
 the ensuing scuffie its leg was broken. | Bunny" then Justified a useful exist enc, and rewarded its preservers by affording them a succulent stew.
 ] Pets that are free to roam are less to be pited than those shut up or kept
 ir cages. Many poor little singing birds must have died from want of food and
 water, and many a venerable parrot croaked his last "bonjour." Already par
 rot stories are finding their way across 1 the channel, and one trembles at the
 thought of the varied tongues a really
 accomplished bird may acquire. It is re- corded of one that 1t could initiate tho
 whistle of shell to such perfection that the men billeted in the same house suffered much from the trick. which, as | a practical joke. was eminently success full In fact. the exasperated soldiers were moved to declare that even a baby would be preferable as fellow resi-
 dent.
 Cattle and pigs occupy somewhat ldifferent position from the animals
 above mentioned; whether 1t h . higher