In India, 626 million people persist in defecating in fields, on roadsides or anywhere but in a toilet, although their children die of diarrhea and their wives and daughters must wake up at 4:30 AM to have the modesty of darkness, risking rape, snakebites and — no small matter in these parts — ghosts. (scientificamerican.com)
It is also said to be cheaper and more hygienic as the birds don't defecate on themselves. (newscientist.com)
Oftentimes, if it is a defecation issue, it can be because of constipation or some other bowel issue, because cats typically do not defecate outside the box. (petbusiness.com)