148 



FO UR- FOOTED AMERICANS 



turning somersaults, a mechanical flail escaped from 

 its inventor ? No, only a Jackass Rabbit (called Jack 

 for short), the largest and best known of this south- 

 ern group. When Jack pauses, you will liiid him a 

 curious combination of Donkey's ears joined to long 

 legs by a skinny bit of a body about two feet long, 

 covered above with light brown hairs tipped and striped 

 with black, and a black tail three inches long, all this 

 standing on large pad feet. Jack looks as stupid as 

 his hoofed namesake, but as he whirls along to spread 

 ruin to field, garden, and orchard, with his endless 

 appetite, you cannot but admire the muscle and endur- 

 ance of this prince of Gnawers. Jack Rabbits swarm 

 over their range in vast troops. Ten, fifteen, or even 

 tAventv thousand at one time have been surrounded 



Jack Rabbit. 



