probably to warn others of approaching danger. It is 

 believed by some people that they call their mates in 

 this way. 



The species does not burrow into the ground but 

 often makes depressions in which the young are placed. 

 There are usually from three to seven young. The 

 nests are made of dry leaves and grasses to which the 

 mother adds a lining of hair from her own body. The 

 nest is placed under brush or in dense vegetation. The 

 food consists of grasses, small plants, twigs and buds. 

 They do not hesitate to enter gardens but they are 

 found only in the northern part of the State, although 

 in severe winters they have been killed in Fayette and 

 Westmoreland counties. It is seldom abundant. It is 

 distinctly a northern species, although it abides in 

 southern regions where it seldom assumes the full 

 white color. A number of these more southern forms 

 are subspecies. Its most common enemies are the wea- 

 sels and snowy owls. 



Rabbit: Cotton Tail 



Syh'ilaffus florldanus mcarnsii 



The common "cotton tail" is familiar to every one. 

 It is so abundant in Pennsylvania that it is often seen in 

 city yards at night. Probably no other wild creature 

 delights children as does the rabbit. It figures largely 

 in their Easter celebrations, and every child has lis- 

 tened many times to Uncle Remus' tale of "Brer Rab- 

 bit," and to "Bye Baby Bunting." 



Rabbits inhabit the woodlands and the open fields 

 over which they roam chiefly at night. Hundreds are 

 killed by automobiles on the roads each year and thou- 

 sands are shot during the open season. But they persist 



-^ 151 >- 



