12 THE RABBIT 



extremities of the two bones which unite to form the 

 joint are so close together that no space can be felt 

 between them, the rabbit is an old one. On the 

 other hand, if there is a perceptible separation at the 

 joint the animal is a young one, and is more or less 

 so as the bones are more or less separated. Another 

 mode of distinguishing the two is by the claws, which 

 in an old rabbit are very long and rough, in a young 

 one short and smooth. The latter also has a softer 

 coat. 



When fresh killed a rabbit will be stiff and the 

 flesh white and dry ; when stale it will be limp, and 

 the flesh will have a bluish tinge. 



When taken young and domesticated, wild rabbits 

 not only become soon accustomed to the altered con- 

 ditions of life, but will live for many years in captivity. 

 One, which was captured in Buckinghamshire when 

 about ten days old and brought to London, had 

 the run of the house and area, was tame, amusing, 

 and cleanly in its habits. It would follow the cook 

 about like a dog, and was a constant playmate in 

 the nursery. In these circumstances it lived for six 

 years. ^ 



A wild rabbit, which had been captured in 

 February, 1873, when only a few weeks old, and was 

 • The Field,, ]\Ay \^, 1892. 



