480 Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 



December 22. In 1905 two were gotten November 27. In 1906, 

 two on January 22, one seen July 21 and 29, and October 9, sev- 

 eral on the east side on October 31, 2 on November 13, one on the 

 14th and 4 gotten on the 20th. In 1907, a half-grown young one 

 was seen September 11 and another September 20; another not 

 more than one-third grown was seen September 22. On November 

 17, 1909, two gotten with ferrets under the Farrar cottage, were 

 sent to the U. S. National Museum. In the fall of 1913, they did 

 not seem to be very common. On September 17 a half-grown 

 young one was seen on Long Point, and again on October 4. 



In this region the Rabbit is hunted rather persistently every 

 fall and winter from October to February and the total number 

 killed is great; nevertheless the animals are so prolific that the 

 supply usually keeps up pretty well. During some years it is less 

 abundant. The season of 1908-9 was a period of scarcity. Gen- 

 erally these periods last only for a single season, and the next sea- 

 son is one of usual abundance. They are in best condition in No- 

 vember to January and these are the principal months when they 

 ai-e hunted. Unfortunately a few local pothunters have been using 

 ferrets, a method which affords no sport, is entirely unsportsman- 

 like, gives the Rabbit no chance, and which cannot be too severely 

 condemned. 



In this region the Rabbit breeds at least twice each season. 

 The first litter is produced early in the spring, usually in May, and 

 the young are half or two-thirds grown by the first or middle of 

 July. The second litter is probably produced in July or even as 

 late as September, as we have seen half-grown and one-third- 

 grown young September 11 and 22. Heavy rains in the spring 

 frequently flood the breeding grounds, with the result that many 

 of the first litters are drowned. This was particularly the case in 

 1902 when there were unusually heavy rains in May and June, 

 flooding all the lowlands. That many young Rabbits were drowned 

 is evidenced by their scarcity in the fall and winter following. 



Here, as elsewhere, the Rabbit causes some damage to young 

 fruit trees by gnawing the bark. The damage is greatest during 

 the winters of heavy and long-continued snows which cover up 

 other vegetation on which they would feed. The Lake Maxin- 

 kuckee region, however, is not much given to orchards or horticul- 

 ture and the injury wrought by Rabbits is therefore not serious. 



The Rabbit as an article of food is becoming more highly ap- 

 preciated in recent years and there is also an increasing market for 

 its fur. With proper laws providing adequate protection a large 

 and valuable catch can be made every year. 



