CHAPTER XII. 

 MAMMALIA. 

 THE RABBIT. 

 FIELD STUDY. 



1. LEARN where to look for rabbits at different seasons. 

 Keep in mind that they are timid creatures and seek shelter, and 

 that they prefer to be near a good supply of food. 



2. In what kind of places are rabbits usually found in warm 

 weather ? Look in tufts of grass along hedges and fence cor- 

 ners. Do rabbits seek more sheltered places in winter ? Is 

 this on account of cold ? Or for concealment ? The smoothed 

 and sometimes slightly hollowed place in which a rabbit squats is 

 called its " form." Is this form equally exposed on all sides? 

 Can it enter and leave in any direction ? Has the direction in 

 which it is headed any relation to the wind ? In what position 

 does it rest ? Are the ears erect or laid back while it sits in its 

 form ? Does a rabbit leave its form in the daytime, if undis- 

 turbed ? Does it sleep during the day ? Are the eyes open or 

 shut while it sits in its form in daytime ? As you quietly ap- 

 proach the rabbit squatting in its form, does it seem aware of 

 your presence ? Does it ever turn the head to see you ? Does 

 it need to turn the Head to see you ? Can a squatting rabbit see 

 an object in any direction without turning its head ? Stand 

 near a rabbit in its form and watch its eye. Does it wink? 

 How much of the time is a rabbit in its form ? How much of 

 the time out of it ? Find a rabbit in your neighborhood and 

 frequently visit it to become as well acquainted with it as possi- 

 ble. On moonlight nights visit a form that you have lately 



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