The Rabbit 



entirely opposed to this natural selection of site, I may 

 mention that I have found as hardy and robust Rabbits 

 under entirely diverse circumstances. For instance, 

 there are quite a number of watery ditches about my 

 house, where extensive colonies of Rabbits live, 

 move, and have their being. One of these banks is 

 so moist even in midsummer that, when walking over 

 it, the foot actually sinks in the mossy ground. A 

 glance into the burrows where the Rabbits live gives 

 one the impression that the corridors leading to the 

 nests where the young are laid must be of a very damp 

 and uncongenial character. So engrossed with this 

 aspect of the Rabbit's life did I become that I decided 

 on digging up a few of these ditch-side burrows. I 

 got a spade and set to work. A foot from the water- 

 edge the soil was still damp and baked hard by the 

 tread of the animals' feet. Beyond this it became 

 harder and drier. Here the hedge- rootlets penetrated 

 the soil, and seemed to suck the moisture from 

 the ground ; and at the far end where the cavity 

 deepened, and where the nest was located, the soil 

 around was absolutely dry. When thus opened up 

 the real home of the bunny was absolutely dry and 

 free of all signs of dampness. 



The Wild Rabbit is truly wild in the broadest sense 

 of the word. It is cradled in the bowels of the earth, 

 where it breathes its first days in a nest of fluffy fur 

 provided by its wild, yet considerate dam. In its 

 early days, before even its eyes are open, it lives 



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