Killing — Corney Buttercup."^ 219 



jaws, with a small pointed knife, in order 

 that the blood may be evacuated, which 

 would otherwise settle in the head and neck, 

 It is an abomination to kill poultry by the 

 slow and torturing method of bleeding to 

 death, hung up by the heels, the veins of the 

 moutli being cut ; but still more so the rab- 

 bit, which in that situation, utters horrible 

 screams. The entrails of the rabbit, 

 whilst fresh, are said to be good food for 

 fish, being thrown into ponds. 



The rabbit is a caressing animal, and 

 equally fond, with the cat, of the head being 

 stroked ; at the same time, it is not desti- 

 tute of courage. A whimsical lady admit- 

 ted a buck* rabbit into the house, where he 

 became her companion for upwards of a 

 twelvemonth. He soon intimidated the larg- 

 est cats so much, by chasing them round the 

 room, and darting upon them, and tearing off 

 their hair by mouthfuls, that they very seldom 

 dared to approach. He slept in the lap by 

 choice, or upon a chair, or the hearth-rug, 

 and was as full of mischief and tricks as a 

 monkey. He destroyed all rush-bottomed 



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