I suppose we all think, at some time or other, that our part of the world can be generalised, without any qualification, to all other parts but

"It is not always a negative thing when cats prey on birds, lizards, rodents, etc."

finally managed to pull me out of 'lurker' status on this thread.

I've yet to see a situation in Australia where the quoted statement has any truth at all. Ditto New Zealand.

Cheers, Rowan