124 Practical Zoology. 



found occupied. Is " Brer Rabbit " at home ? Are rabbits 

 sociable ? Do they associate with each other more at one 

 season than at another ? Do they seem to have any special 

 means of communicating with each other ? Do they ever give 

 signals of danger? Does one ever call another to share 

 food that it has found ? Do they ever aid each other in any 

 danger or injury ? Has the rabbit a voice ? If so, on what 

 occasions is it used ? How do rabbits protect themselves from 

 cold ? How does the squatting position economize heat ? Do 

 rabbits ever stretch out and lie at full length ? Or are they al- 

 ways bunched up when resting ? In what situations do you find 

 rabbits in warm weather ? In very cold weather ? In dry 

 weather ? After heavy rains ? Do rabbits ever burrow ? Do they 

 hide in holes ? What are the effects of substituting barbed wire 

 fences for rail fences and hedges ? What is the effect of grubbing 

 out bushes in clearing land for cultivation ? How does the cul- 

 tivation of farm and garden crops affect rabbits ? Is the num- 

 ber of rabbits ordinarily increased or diminished in " settled " 

 districts ? 



3. Study carefully the rabbit's modes of locomotion, the slow 

 hopping as well as the running. Study the tracks and be sure 

 you can tell by which foot each track is made, and how the legs 

 are moved. Can you tell by the tracks whether or not the rabbit 

 was frightened ? How far can a rabbit jump ? Are the front 

 and hind tracks farther apart when running than when hopping ? 

 Can a rabbit run far without stopping? Follow a frightened 

 rabbit ; does it run far in a straight line ? Can you stop a run- 

 ning rabbit by whistling ? Do rabbits ever zigzag when running 

 away ? If so, why ? Are rabbits long-winded ? Compare a 

 rabbit and a greyhound in this respect. What reasons for the 

 difference? Can a rabbit swim? Does it often take to 

 water ? 



4. What evidences do you find in fields and among bushes as 

 to the rabbit's food ? When does it eat ? Does it need much 

 or little food ? Does it usually go far from its form for food ? 



