British Gnawing Mammals 



with the Rabbit a change came over the scene. The 

 writer, even, can recall special districts that knew not 

 Rabbits. He can also remember their introduction in 

 some districts and the consequences. Without printing 

 names, I can point specially to a Shire where fifty odd 

 years ago the Rabbit was unknown. Since that date I 

 can chronicle the animal's devastations, involving 

 serious loss to both landlord and tenant of grazing lands. 

 So acute, indeed, in one instance, became the situation 

 that the landlord would be carting turnips in a severe 

 winter to keep the Rabbits alive, and in the summer 

 following he would generously give the tenant his rent 

 back, because of the damage the animals had done to 

 the pastures. 



Broadly speaking. Rabbits afford good sport for the 

 gunner, and when kept within due bounds prove a 

 minor asset to an estate. When allowed to multiply 

 irrespective of all commercial considerations, this wild 

 rodent becomes not only a prominent example of 

 vermin, but proves a distinct nuisance, and con- 

 sequently a loss to everyone concerned. Considered 

 as one of the more prominent of the four-footed 

 denizens of the fields and woods, the Rabbit is an 

 interesting and engaging animal. One hears it often 

 spoken of in juvenile language as the " bunny,*' while 

 the Americans call it the " coney." 



In Britain we find the animal thrives best where 

 there is a sandy or gravelly soil. It loves dry places. 

 Yet this is not always the case. As an instance 



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