2l6 



Handbook of Nature Study 



when I have seen the tactics which rabbits have adopted to escape dogs, 

 that we in the North have under-rated the cleverness of this timid animal. 

 In one instance at least that came under our observation, a cotton-tail 

 led a dog to the verge of a precipice, then doubled back to safety, while 

 the dog went over, landing on the rocks nearly three hundred feet below. 



LESSON LIII 



THE COTTON-TAIL RABBIT 



Leading thought 

 The cotton-tailthrives 

 amid civilization; its 

 color protects it from 

 sight; its long ears 

 give it warning of the 

 approach of danger; 

 and its long legs en- 

 able it to run by swift, 

 long leaps. It feeds 

 upon grasses, clover, 

 vegetables and other 

 herbs. 



Method This study 

 Belgian hares and Dutch rabbit. may be begun in the 



winter, when the rabbit tracks can be observed and the haunts of the 

 cotton-tail discovered. If caught in a box trap, the cotton-tail will be- 

 come tame if properly fed and cared for, and may thus be studied at 

 close range. The cage I have used for rabbits as thus caught, is made 

 of wire screen, nailed to a frame, making a wire-covered box, two feet 

 high and two or three feet square, with a door at one side and no bot- 

 tom. It should be placed upon oil-cloth or linoleum, and thus may be 

 moved to another carpet when the floor needs cleaning. If it is im- 

 possible to study the cotton-tail, the domestic rabbit may be used 

 instead. 



Observations i . What sort of tracks does the cotton-tail make in the 

 snow? Describe and sketch them. Where do you find these tracks? 

 How do you know which way the rabbit was going? Follow the track 

 and see if you can find where the rabbit went. When were these tracks 

 made, by night or by day? What does the rabbit do during the day? 

 What does it find to eat during the winter? How are its feet protected 

 so that they do not freeze in the snow? 



2. What are the two most noticeable peculiarities of the rabbit? 

 Of what use are such large ears? How are the ears held when the rabbit 

 is resting? When startled? When not quite certain about the direction 

 of the noise? Explain the reasons for these attitudes. When the rabbit 

 wishes to make an observation to see if there is danger coming, what does 

 it do? How does it hold its ears then? How are the ears held when the 

 animal is running? 



3. Do you think the rabbit has a keen sense of smell? Describe the 

 movements of the nostrils and explain the reason. How does it move its 

 head to be sure of getting the scent? 



