158 The Ottawa Naturalist [Nov. 



THE COTTON-TAIL RABBIT IN ONTARIO. 



By J. H. Fleming, Toronto. 



This rabbit was not, so far as can be ascertained, indigenous 

 even in south-western Ontario, where the faunal conditions are 

 strongly CaroHnian and favourable to its increase. While no 

 very definite date can be given for its first appearance in the 

 south-western counties, it has been a resident in Essex for at 

 least forty years. At Niagara the first cotton-tails were noticed 

 in 1871 ; this is the date given by Mr. C. W. Nash and agrees 

 closely with that of others. Mr. Ernest Seton says that rabbits 

 were seen in Peel in 1872; westward they were recorded at 

 Strathroy by Mr. Walter Brett in 1882. At Toronto, there is 

 some confusion, owing to the attempted introduction of English 

 rabbits and the coming of the cotton-tail was overlooked ; but 

 Dr. Brodie considers the date was about 1884. Specimens were 

 taken at Lome Park, by Mr. Seton, in 1887, and Mr. Allan 

 Brooks states that they were not abundant at Milton till 1888. 



During the last twenty years the range has steadily in- 

 creased, but the centre of abundance still remains south of the 

 line drawn from a few miles north of Sarnia, to the west end of 

 Lake Ontario, as shown on the accompanying map. North and 

 east of this line the cotton-tail is subject to climatic conditions 

 that keep it in check, and were it not for a constant migration 

 from the south and west counties very few would remain after 

 an unfavourable season; and in any case, the natural increase 

 is kept down by the hunting the animal is subject to at all times. 



The cotton-tail in winter often finds refuge under bams, 

 but it is usually to be found near the woods, showing a decided 

 preference for hardwood ridges. Solitary ones mav be found 

 in old skunk holes at all seasons. A common way of hunting 

 them is with ferrets. There have been numerous attempts to 

 introduce this rabbit, but the present range is due to the migra- 

 tion of the animal itself. 



EXCURSIONS. 



The first of the autumn excursions of the Club was held 

 on September 12th, to the Central Experimental Farm. The 

 members of the Ottawa Horticultural Society also visited the 

 Farm the same afternoon, and the two societies joined forces 

 and were conducted around the Farm by Dr. Fletcher, Mr. W. 

 T. Macoun and other members of the staff. About 150 in all 



