26 EVERMANN AND CLARK 



is particularly common. Among these are the thickets, fields, and 

 Farrar's woods at the south end of the lake; the shores of Lost Lake 

 and the woods and fields from Green's to Walley's and beyond; 

 the fields, swamps and prairie westward to Manitou and Houghton 

 lakes, including the tamarack swamp; and the low ground along 

 Aubeenaubee Creek on the east side. 



The following records made by us serve to indicate to some extent 

 the abundance of Rabbits in this region. They are by no means 

 complete, but simply show the observations of one or two persons 

 for portions of each of several years. During the fall of 1899 U P to 

 January 21, one man who hunted only occasionally and only in the 

 immediate vicinity of the lake, killed 76 Rabbits. In 1901 they 

 were said to be plentiful in February and on December 10, one 

 hunter shot 1 9. On January 2 , 1 903 , hunters obtained 2 1 in the vicin- 

 ity of Mud Lake near the head of Aubeenaubee Creek; December 

 14, 4 hunters got 20 and on December 30, one got 8. In 1904, 7 

 were killed December 8, 24 on December 13, and 2 on December 22. 

 In 1905 two were gotton November 27. In 1906, two on January 

 22, one seen July 21 and 29, and October 9, several on October 31 on 

 the east side, 2 on November 13, one on the i4th and 4 gotten on 

 the 2oth. In 1907, a half -grown young was seen September n 

 and another September 20; another not more than one- third grown 

 was seen September 22. 



In this region the Rabbit is hunted rather persistently every fall 

 and winter from October to February and the total number killed 

 is great; nevertheless the animals are so prolific that the supply 

 usually keeps up pretty well. During some years it is less abundant. 

 The season of 1908-9 was a period of scarcity. Generally these 

 periods last only for a single season, and the next season is one of 

 usual abundance. They are in best condition in November to Jan- 

 uary and these are the principal months when they are hunted. 

 Unfortunately a few local pothunters have been using ferrets, a 

 method which affords no sport, is entirely unsportsmanlike, gives 

 the Rabbit no chance, and which cannot be too severely condemned. 



In this region the Rabbit breeds at least twice each season. The 

 first litter is produced early in the spring, usually in May, and the 

 young are half or two-thirds grown by the first or middle of July. 

 The second litter is probably produced in July or even as late as 



