There once were strange, whimsical creatures that dashed through the skies of Appalachia, often chasing a bird or drifting feather; they were winged felines with twitching tails called Cattawampi. However, these cats were bred to disfigurement by settlers who adored their long, fluffy fur, wide-eyed faces, soft, pastel wings, and mischievous personalities. Lured by traps housing rodents or a teasing ribbon, the felines were captured in small, wooden boxes and transported into towns. Most others were exterminated, so workers could go about their day with fewer distractions and nuisances. Caretakers hoped to selectively breed the cats to have increasing wing sizes; but, in doing so, the appendages became useless within the next several generations. The offspring of Cattawampi no longer have functional wings, but flaps of flesh and tangled fur that hangs limply at their side. Some, however, believe there may be remnants of the species in the remote wilderness.

Cattawampi once lived in the high elevations of the Appalachian Mountains, swooping at small prey, chasing falling leaves, and skirting away from…