86 FAUNA OF SHROPSHIRE. 



old'un ; Go it old'un," which had the effect of frighten- 

 ing the trio, and of dispersing them in different directions. 

 The food of the Rabbit is similar to that of the Hare, 

 and is entirely of a vegetable nature. Mr. F. Rawdon 

 Smith says it eats bark and dandelions, though the Hare 

 does not. In the severe weather of Feb. 1894 the writer 

 observed that the Rabbits at Bomere were driven by 

 hunger to climb up into the holly hedges and eat the 

 younger green twigs. Although living in colonies the 

 Rabbit is said to be not polygamous, but to associate 

 in pairs, apparently for life. [This statement hardly 

 agrees with the account of the white Rabbits at 

 Betton given above as the white buck must have 

 paired with several does to give rise to so numerous 

 a progeny in so short a time.] The female prepares a 

 nest for her young in a separate burrow, lining it with fur 

 from her own body, and if she leaves it for any length 

 of time, conceals the entrance with loose earth. The 

 litter comprises from five to eight young ones, which 

 although blind and helpless at first, grow rapidly and 

 are soon able to go abroad with the mother. Several 

 litters are produced in a year, and the young are ready 

 to breed in about six months, so that they would increase 

 very rapidly were it not for their numerous enemies. 

 The Stoat and Weasel follow them into their burrows 

 and destroy both young and old, and the Badger will get 

 the young by digging down to the nest from above, while 

 Foxes, Owls, and other creatures attacks them in the 

 open. The Rabbits is ever on the alert against the 

 enemy, and on perceiving one stamps loudly on the 

 ground with the hind feet as an alarm signal, warning 

 all within hearing to get into their burrows. The skin 



