NATURAL HISTORY OF THE RABBIT 15 



doubt will be to increase the size of the progeny, that 

 is not what is wanted if they are to afford sport with 

 the gun, and tame rabbits will not burrow, but live on 

 the surface like hares. The desideratum is a strong 

 active rabbit with the highest possible turn of speed, 

 and not a clumsy animal that can hardly be made to 

 move. In a warren, of course, where rabbits are only 

 reared for market, and are always ferreted and netted, 

 or trapped, the case is different ; speed counts for 

 nothing, and the heavier the animal the better will be 

 the market price obtained. 



Size may be increased by cutting if desired,^ 

 although for sporting purposes, as above remarked, 

 no advantage will be gained therefrom. 



It is remarkable that insular forms are always 

 much smaller than those on a mainland, and a 

 notable instance of this may be observed in the 

 rabbits on the island of Porto Santo, Madeira. This 

 feral breed, however, is known to have descended from 

 some which were turned down about the year 1418 

 by Gonzales Zarco. They are now much smaller 

 than their European relatives, being nearly one-third 

 less in weight; the upper parts are much redder 

 and the lower surface greyer, while the tail is reddish 

 brown above. 



' Daniel, vol. i. p. 486. 



