Winged Cat Wiveliscombe Somerset 1899 1899, London's Strand Magazine contained a report of a 'winged cat' or kitten belonging to a woman living in Wiveliscombe, Somerset, England. A photo accompanied a short item in the November issue of Strand Magazine, whimsically entitled "Can a Cat Fly?". The cat was normal in every way, except for two fur-covered growths sprouting from either side of its mid-back. These flapped about like the wings of a scurrying chicken whenever the cat moved. The Wiveliscombe kitten was able to lift up its wings. Cat fancier, breeder and prolific writer on all matter feline, HC Brooke, described the winged cat in his weekly magazine "Cat Gossip" in 1927: "This cat had growing from its back two appendages which reminded the observer irresistibly of the wings of a chicken before the adult feathers appear. These appendages were not flabby, but apparently gristly, about six or eight inches long, and place in exactly the position assumed by the wings of a bird in the act of taking flight. They did not make their appearance until the kitten was several weeks old. Alas! One of those brutes in human form who, encouraged by callous or knock-kneed [Brooke meant those magistrates too lenient with animal abusers], still are too plentiful, cut off the 'wings' with fatal results to the cat!"