Mammalia. 125 



Does the kind of food vary much with the season ? Does it 

 need to make much effort to get its food ? Do rabbits drink 

 water ? Look along creeks and around springs for evidences of 

 their visits. Is it clear that they come to such places to drink ? 

 Does the amount of water in their food make any difference in 

 the amount of water that they take as such ? Do they need the 

 same amount of water at different seasons ? What reasons for 

 these differences ? Do they ever suffer for water in severe win- 

 ter weather, when streams are frozen over ? 



5. What harm is done by rabbits? Do they do any good ? 

 What means are employed to keep them from doing damage ? 

 What means to kill them off ? 



6. What are the enemies of rabbits? In what different 

 ways do they avoid or escape enemies ? Is there any advantage 

 in having the exposed part of the tail so white and conspicuous ? 

 What kind of shelter does a rabbit seem to prefer when pursued 

 by dogs ? Do rabbits ever " double " on their tracks ? Or re- 

 sort to other tricks to escape pursuit? What is meant by 

 " circling " ? 



7. In spring and early summer look for the nests containing 

 young rabbits. They are not conspicuous, being pocketlike 

 depressions lined with fur, and narrowed at the opening, 

 which is at the level of the surface. If a nest is found, watch 

 it closely day and night. If you have a dog, be careful not to 

 allow him to accompany you, for even if he does not disturb the 

 nest while with you, he may return and kill the young. Does 

 the mother stay with the young ? If not, does she remain near ? 

 When and how often does she visit the young, and how long 

 does she stay with them ? Do rabbits have more than one 

 litter in a year ? How many in a litter ? Is their natural rate 

 of increase slow or rapid as compared with most mammals ? 

 Are the young of the same color as the adults ? Are there any 

 peculiar markings ? How long does it take a young rabbit to 

 reach full size ? Are young rabbits as speedy or as cunning in 

 escaping enemies as the old ones ? 



