Mammal Study 217 



4. What peculiarity is there in the upper lip? How would this be an 

 aid to the rabbit when gnawing? Describe the teeth ; how do these differ 

 from those of the mouse or squirrel? Of what advantage are the gnawing 

 teeth to the rabbit ? How does it eat a stem of grass? Note the rabbit's 

 whiskers. What do you think they are used for? 



5. Describe the eyes. How are they placed so that the rabbit can 

 see forward and backward? Do you think that it sleeps with its eyes 

 open? Does it wink? 



6. Why is it advantageous to the rabbit to have such long, strong, 

 hind legs? Compare them in size with the front legs. Compare the front 

 and hind feet. How many toes on each? How are the bottoms of the 

 feet protected? Are the front feet ever used for holding food like the 

 souirrel's? In what position are the legs when the rabbit is resting? 

 When it is standing? When lifted up for observation? 



7. How does the cotton-tail escape being seen? Describe its coat. 

 Of what use is the white fluff beneath the tail? Have you ever seen a 

 wild rabbit "freeze" ? What is meant by freezing and what is the use of it ? 



8. In making its toilet how does the rabbit clean its face, ears, feet, 

 and fur ? 



9. What do the cotton-tails feed upon during the summer? During 

 the winter? Do they ever do much damage? 



10. Describe the cotton-tail's nest. What is it called? Does it ever 

 burrow in the ground ? Does it ever use a second-hand burrow ? Describe 

 the nest made for the young by the mother. Of what is the bed com- 

 posed? Of what is the coverlet made? What is the special use of the 

 coverlet? How do the young cotton-tails look? How old are they 

 before they are able to take care of themselves? 



11. What are the cotton-tail's enemies? How does it escape them? 

 Have you ever seen the rabbit roads in a briar patch ? Do you think that 

 a dog or fox could follow them ? Do rabbits ever fight their enemies? If 

 so, how? How do they show anger? Do they stamp with the front or 

 the hind foot? 



12. Tell how the cotton-tail differs in looks and habits from the 

 common tame rabbit. How do the latter dig their burrows? How 

 many breeds of tame rabbits do you know? 



13. Write or tell stories on the following topics: "A Cotton-tail's 

 Story of its Own Life Until it is a Year Old;" "The Jack-rabbit of the 

 West;" "The Habits of the White Rabbit or Varying Hare;" "The Rab- 

 bit in Uncle Remus' Tales." 



Supplementary reading "Raggylug" and "Little War Horse," Thomp- 

 son-Seton; Squirrels and Other Fur Bearers, Burroughs; Watchers in the 

 Woods, Sharp; American Animals, Stone & Cram; Familiar Life in 

 Field and Forest, Mathews; Sharp Eyes, Gibson; Neighbors with Claws 

 and Hoofs, Johonnot; True Tales of Birds and Beasts, Jordan; Uncle 

 Remus Stories, especially The Tar Baby, which emphasizes the fact that 

 the rabbits' runways are in the protecting briar-patch. 



