82 MAMMALS. 



Something has been incidentally said above of the 



appearance and habits of the Rabbit, and a very short 



account will here suffice. It is widely dis- 



Kabbit. tributed throughout these islands, though, 

 owing doubtless to the presence of natural enemies 

 unknown in the Southern Hemisphere, it has never be- 

 come so serious a trouble here as in Australia, where 

 the problem of dealing effectually with this imported 

 plague costs the colonial Governments millions sterling. 

 Even in these islands, however, farmers have periodically 

 suffered from its increase, particularly from the plant- 

 death caused by its bite. 



As an article of food it is, save with Jews and Shet- 

 landers, in almost general use. 



Like the hare, this animal multiplies with alarming 

 rapidity, breeding at the age of six months, and pro- 

 ducing in her underground warrens several 



Breeding. ^^ ^ ^ ^^ ^^ number i ng f rom five 



to twice that number. The naked, blind condition of the 

 new-born young has been alluded to above. Colonies of 

 rabbits are in some parts known to inhabit hedges in lieu 

 of the underground burrow. 



Like the hare, the rabbit, though an excellent 



swimmer, takes to the water only as a last 



As . a resource; indeed, it takes quite as readily 



to a tree, in which, when pursued, it can 



climb with ease. 



The ears of the rabbit lack the black tip that dis- 

 tinguishes those of the hare. The white 

 Appearance, un( j er . surface of the erect tail is very con- 

 spicuous. 



