136 RODENTS OF IOWA 



members of the family. When feeding undisturbed, cottontails 

 move about leisurely by short hops ; but when frightened they make 

 good use of their long, muscular hind legs, and progress very rap- 

 idly by a succession of leaps of from eight to ten feet. They are 

 able to maintain a sharp pace for a considerable time. 



The cottontail is common or even abundant in practically all 

 parts of the state, and specimens are at hand from or have been 

 seen in almost every locality visited. 



FIG. 35. Apple tree killed by Rabbits. (From U. S. Department of Agriculture, 

 Bureau of Biological Survey.) 



Food Habits, Economic Importance, and Control Measures. The 

 food of the cottontail, in, general, is included in the foregoing dis- 

 cussion of the family. In summer, grass, leaves of shrubs, bark 

 of trees, clover, alfalfa, and corn ; in fall, apples, cabbages, tur- 

 nips, and other garden vegetables; and in winter, the twigs and 

 bark of woody plants and trees form its principal articles of diet. 

 It is especially fond of peas and cabbages and market gardens are 

 in numerous instances damaged considerably. Trees and shrubs 

 are injured either by the bark's being eaten or by the tips of 



