PET AJSIMALS. 



RABBITS. 



PERHAPS of all pet animals always excepting the dog, who is the 

 companion and faithful friend of both men and boys there are none 

 that are greater favourites than rabbits ; they are such pretty things, 

 with their long ears and diversified colours, and may be kept so 

 clean, too, if well looked after. Then they find a boy plenty of occu- 

 pation when he takes a country walk, or even if only in the suburbs 

 of a city, for where does not the dandelion and sow-thistle grow ? 

 and there is no green meat that rabbits are fonder of than these wild 

 plants. Building the rabbit-cote, too, is pleasant employment; 

 buying the tea-chest for the hutch, too, and making it, finds a boy 

 something to do, then nailing laths before it, making a door with 

 leather hinges, then a trough for the rabbits to eat out of, all of 

 which require some skill, and which a clever lad will do. 



They are such playful things, too, if they have plenty of room ; 

 and happy is the lad who can get some little outhouse allotted to him 

 where he and his rabbits can have it all to themselves. How they 

 will frisk, and leap, and play with one another, and kqep so healthy 

 with such exercise, that not a pot-bellied one will be fonj;d amongst 

 them. 



