82 :NrAM:\rALS. 



Something has been incidentally said above of the 

 apj)earance and habits of the Rabbit, and a very short 

 account will here suffice. It is widely dis- 

 tributed throughout these islands, though, 

 owing doubtless to the presence of natural enemies 

 unknown in the Southern Hemisphere, it has never be- 

 come so serious a trouble here as in Australia, where 

 the problem of dealing effectually with this imported 

 plague costs the colonial Governments millions sterling. 

 Even in these islands, however, farmers have periodically 

 suffered from its increase, particularly from the plant- 

 death caused by its bite. 



As an article of food it is, save with Jews and Shet- 

 landers, in almost general use. 



Like the hare, this animal multiplies with alarming 



rapidity, breeding at the age of six months, and pro- 



^ ,. ducing in her underm-ound warrens several 



Breeuuig. .... . i • c 



litters m the year, each numbermg from five 



to twice that number. The naked, blind condition of the 



new-born young has been alluded to above. Colonies of 



rabbits are in some parts known to inhabit hedges in lieu 



of the underground burrow. 



Like the hare, the rabbit, though an excellent 



swimmer, takes to the water only as a last 



resource ; indeed, it takes quite as readily 

 swimmer. ' , \ ^ ^ •^ 



to a tree, in which, when pursued, it can 

 climb with ease. 



The ears of the rabbit lack the black tip that dis- 

 tinguishes those of the hare. The white 



Appearance, ■, r. r j.i j. ^ m • 



^^ o under-suriace oi the erect tail is very con- 



sjiicuous. 



