Rabbits 93 



that the annual export of live rabbits runs high into five figures, and that certain 

 mid- Atlantic States are the principal buyers. 



This practice of replanting the East with Missouri rabbits sheds much light 

 on the comparative productivity of the mid-Atlantic and Missouri rabbit ranges 

 respectively. The reason for the difference is unknown. 



Cottontail Shortages. A special effort was made during the survey to 

 gain some preliminary information on the nature and extent of cottontail short- 

 ages. It is well known that these shortages occur, but no previous work seems 

 to have been done to determine where, when, or why. The question is important, 

 not only for its obvious bearing on the management of rabbits as a game animal, 

 but because of its possible relation to the cyclic fluctuations of snowshoe rabbits 

 and grouse. 



It was found to be very difficult to get historical information because most 

 sportsmen pay only incidental attention to rabbits. The same man who remem- 

 bers similar dates for grouse or prairie chickens for a decade will have forgotten 

 all about the abundance or scarcity of rabbits two years back. 



First of all, it was necessary to define a shortage. In order to exclude as 

 far as possible the mild local fluctuations due to weather and predators, no 

 shortage estimated to be less than 50 per cent below normal was accepted as 

 evidence. 



Two studies were made: (1) the behavior of the 1928 shortage in Wis- 

 consin, and (2) the history of recent shortages in Missouri. As much of the 

 evidence as possible is summarized on Map 9. The rest is omitted for lack of 

 space. 



The location of observers contributing evidence is shown by small circles. 

 If the observer remembers no shortages the circle contains an "x." If he does, 

 the estimated degree (per cent below "normal") is indicated by the shaded 

 sector of the circle. The date it began is to the left, the date it ended to the 

 right. Symptoms seen are indicated by letter (see legend of map) . 



Evidence of either sickness or shortage or both during 1928 was found to 

 be obtainable all over Wisconsin. Practically no observers reported 1928 condi- 

 tions as normal. Practically all observers had experienced shortages at some 

 time or other and knew what they were. 



In southeastern Wisconsin many observers reported sickness in 1928 But 

 none reported shortage. Apparently the sickness did not cause mortality. 



In all other parts of the State mortality in excess of 50 per cent was re- 

 ported. Its degree is indicated by the stippled sectors of the small circles on the 

 map. The white sector indicates the percentage of the normal crop seen during 

 the hunting season. A question mark above the white sector means the observer 

 could not estimate how short the crop was, but was sure it was over 50 per cent 

 short. The estimated mortality in the southwestern part of the State ran around 

 50 per cent, but in the northern parts ran up to 90 per cent. 



