CHAP. XVI.] FARMING FOR LADIES. 323 



perly rear and fatten; and unless she is 

 particularly strong, the weakest, above that 

 number, should be taken away. She goes 

 with young thirty or thirty-one days, and 

 when near the time of "kindling" — ^as partu- 

 rition is technically termed — she makes her 

 nest of hay (if to be had), of straw, or any 

 kind of haulm, which she bites into the re- 

 quisite lengths, and covers the interior with 

 hair, which she plucks from her breast. 



The symptoms of kindling may be known 

 by her biting any litter which she may have, 

 in preparation for the event; and she ought 

 always, at that time, to be kept separate from 

 the other rabbits. She is said to be always 

 ready to receive the buck immediately after 

 kindling ; but he is seldom admitted to her 

 until after her young ones have been re- 

 moved. The buck should also be always kept 

 alone, except when occasionally allowed for 

 two or three days to visit the doe ; but the 

 stores, and those intended for fatting, may 

 be put up together when weaned, at six weeks 

 old. 



If loild, she builds this nest under ground, 

 burrowing into it a long and narrow passage, 

 y2 



