50 PET RABBITS, CAVIES, AND MICE. 



sleek, lively and strong; the next week the same rabbit, 

 and especially in hot weather, will be found to have lost 

 its depth of black, clearness of white, bloom and 

 brilliance, and be totally unfit for exhibition. A very 

 old breeder (20 years' experience) tells us that he has 

 frequently known those who have taken up the Hima- 

 layan Fancy with zeal and enthusiasm rapidly lose heart 

 through the rabbit so soon " going off colour." And 

 yet, in spite of this drawback, he writes us: " 1 

 honestly believe that if anyone had the time and kept 

 a good number of Himalayans of the very best blood, 

 they would find this variety one of the most profitable 

 in the Fancy." The standard of points of the Himalay- 

 an Club, which we shall append at the end of this 

 chapter, is an excellent synopsis of the characteristics ot 

 the variety. Some of us are inclined to the view, how- 

 ever, after taking all points, and the difficulties of breed- 

 ing those points, into consideration, that the Himalayan 

 Club might allow an extra point or two for nose mark- 

 ing, but that is, after all, a mere matter of detail, as most 

 of the judges are so impressed with this view that they 

 usually attach greater importance to good nose marking 

 than the standard of the Club would seem to warrant 

 them in doing. What is meant by good nose marking ? 

 It is that the black fur on the nose should be as extensive 

 as possible, extending well down to the lips and jaw, 

 and up the face. This is perhaps the prettiest point in 

 an all-round pretty rabbit. Another item of interest, to 

 which much importance attaches, is the colour on the 

 hind feet, or hocks. The very best specimens now 

 shown are what is called " well-stockinged " that is, 

 the black marking extends well up the leg past the hock 

 joint, and the density of black marking is well sustained 

 so as to make it cleaner cut, and more distinctly defined. 

 There were two does shown at the Tunbridge Wells 

 show of 1906, to which the judge (a specialist on the 

 variety) awarded first and second prizes, in addition to 

 the special prizes offered by the Himalayan Rabbit 

 Club, which excelled in this respect. Everything is 

 being done by this Club to advance the interests of the 

 breed. By reason of their susceptibility to lose colour, 

 or fade, Himalayans need somewhat special treatment. 

 Many breeders aver that these rabbits cannot be bred 

 to exhibition perfection out-of-doors. One very old 



