Mammalia. 253 



sits in the center of a tuft of grass, and frequently he 

 appears to select a small bunch of grass, just large enough 

 to cover him scantily, perhaps thinking that he will not be 

 looked for in such slight cover. Sometimes a rabbit will 

 start from his form when an enemy is at a distance, especially 

 if much noise is made ; at other times he may be approached 

 closely, and almost touched, before he will stir. When he 

 does start, it is usually with a dash ; and he generally runs 

 with great speed to another cover, often running through 

 hedges and other places that will prove an obstruction to 

 pursuers. If followed, especially by dogs, the rabbit fre- 

 quently runs in a circle, and after completing the circle, 

 suddenly jumps far to one side, thus throwing the follower 

 off the scent. Though speedy, the rabbit is not an enduring 

 runner. He carries too much weight. The bulky food and 

 the large amount he eats prove a handicap. His paunch 

 suggests that of the cow. A dog has the advantage. Being 

 a meat eater, he has a short intestine, whereas that of the 

 rabbit is long. The dog's food is concentrated, nutritious, 

 and quickly digested ; hence the dog is light in the abdo- 

 men, where the rabbit is heavy. Further, the heart of the 

 dog is stronger relatively, and a strong heart is the chief 

 factor in long-windedness. But in spite of his relative short- 

 windedness, his running and his cunning often enable him 

 to escape. 



Injury done by the Rabbit. Rabbits do considerable 

 harm by gnawing the bark of young trees in orchards, and 

 in some places it is necessary to build a protection around 

 the trees to save them. The English rabbit, introduced 

 into Australia, has become a plague. In spite of all the 

 means that man has been able to devise, they multiply 

 beyond any checks that can be applied. High rewards 

 have been offered for any means that will exterminate 



