PET RABBITS, CAVIES, AND MICE. 45 



hairs in the ears, and the black has a rusty shade instead 

 of that dense colour which marks such a striking contrast 

 with pure white. No one who knows anything of 

 present day English, and the high standard of excel- 

 lence which is being demanded, can avoid seeing the 

 importance of purity of colour and distinctness of spot- 

 ting. For instance, the cheek spots, to be nice, should 

 be of a presentable size, say about as large as a three- 

 penny piece. The ears should be well and cleanly cut 

 (in the dark fur) at the roots, not speckled, with the 

 speckles running on to the forehead. The more evenly 

 the eye circles are cut the better. They ought not to 

 run up nearly to the ear roots. If, as Mr. Linley 

 says, and there is little doubt it is the result of 

 experience the lighter the markings are in the buck, 

 consistently with plenty of work, the more idealistic it is 

 as a sire, then the necessities of idealistic propagation 

 argue in favour of the smaller as opposed to the very 

 heavy markings. This is not to say that both parents 

 need to be as above, but only to emphasize the 

 advisability of care in selection. On the point as to two 

 leg spots, or two cheek spots on one side, this will 

 sometimes occur in an otherwise well-nigh perfect 

 specimen. Some judges will tolerate two leg spots, but 

 not two on one cheek. The one is a defect openly and 

 immediately visible. The other needs looking for to 

 see it. Personally, we think that whereas both are 

 opposed to the standard, the one is a prominent defect 

 and the other not so much so. Consequently some would 

 attach more weight (to disadvantage) to one than the 

 other. On the question of the tortoiseshell shading in 

 grey and whites, undoubtedly it is sometimes seen, and 

 should be discouraged. On the question of weight six 

 to eight pounds ! We think this a doubtful margin. 

 The English does not need to be an inordinately large 

 rabbit. Let anybody who tries to imagine the present 

 day ideal English, picture an eight pound rabbit, and 

 see what they would get ! Is this really meant to be a 

 serious piece of advice to breeders ? To get an English 

 up to 8 Ibs. in weight! In order the more clearly to 

 set out the points of this beautiful variety we annex the 

 standard of excellence adopted by the National English 

 Rabbit Club : 



