228 LEPORID^— ORYCTOLAGUS 



shown on p. 217 that this is not correct. Anyhow, rabbits, 

 especially bucks, can be called and shot by a sound similar to 

 that used for calling hares, and the Scots have a special name, 

 "map," for a rabbit-call; 1 indeed, calling rabbits in order to 

 shoot them is a common practice, but it is difficult to decide 

 what is the motive of the called rabbit — curiosity, sociability, or 

 anger. A rabbit, like many small birds, will approach, usually 

 with many stamps, to investigate a very clumsy calling that has 

 no effect on hares other than to make them shake their ears 

 and remain still listening, and Mr Cocks has known one to 

 reconnoitre him in this way on a dark night in a wood. 



The greater attractiveness of one or other of the domestic 

 breeds of rabbits is such that few people take the trouble to 

 tame a wild one. But the latter, although, if adult, rarely 

 losing its " wildness " after capture, will, if taken young, well 

 repay the attention bestowed on it, and more than one thus 

 brought up by hand has lived for years in honour and 

 happiness. At least two such are said to have been alive 

 and well in their eleventh year, another reached upwards of 

 thirteen, 2 and there are records of others which lived for long 

 periods. Like hares, they are, if left at large in a house, 

 boisterous, noisy creatures, and too active and playful to 

 become altogether satisfactory pets. 



Domesticated rabbits are often turned out in coverts " to 

 improve the breed " of the wild ones, especially in regard to 

 size. This result is obtained at the expense of much of the 

 alert liveliness of the true wild animal, but the most conspicuous 

 effect is usually the appearance of a number of abnormally 

 coloured individuals. Miss Haviland has noted that where 

 such varieties are white they do not seem to be killed off by 

 foxes, as might be expected from their conspicuousness, and 

 she suggests that foxes may be frightened by their unusual 

 colour. 



1 See above, p. 180. 



2 One lived at least six years, Blanche H. Cripps, Field, 16th July 1892, 85 ; eleven 

 years, H. A. Macpherson, Zoologist, 1883, 173; one born 1887, alive 10th January 

 1898, fide F. Moekler, in lit., to Oldfield Thomas ; white buck, upwards of thirteen 

 years, J. W. M. Dagnall, Field, 26th November 1887, 822. 



