The Wild Rabbit Natural History. 165 



to warrant a distinction. The only true varieties existent 

 are the result of crosses between the wild rabbit and some 

 kind of tame ones turned down amongst the original conies. 

 If left uncrossed for a generation or so, they, however, soon 

 revert to the colour and size of wild rabbits. The Silver- 

 grey has of late years been so largely cultivated as a wild 

 rabbit, and lends itself so easily to the condition, that there is 

 some reason now for claiming two varieties for this country. 

 The silver-grey of which more anon has, moreover, the 

 merit of retaining, to a very remarkable extent, its pecu- 

 liarities of size and colour for a considerable time after 

 becoming wild. The similarity between the rabbit and 

 hare begins and ends in a mere resemblance of form and 

 habit ; structurally, they are widely different and incapable 

 of inter-breeding, although persons have often claimed to be 

 possessors of hybrids. 



The rabbit is almost wholly indifferent as regards locality 

 and surroundings, and seems to get on pretty well in even 

 the most unsuitable and inhospitable parts. Notwith- 

 standing, they have their peculiarities like other animals, 

 and particularly as regards sites for their burrows, and the 

 expanses they frequent. In some parts it is almost impossible 

 to get together a dozen head per annum, while in others all 

 efforts to exterminate them are futile. As far as concerns 

 our present purpose, we have to take cognizance only of the 

 rabbits on the farm and on the game preserve, or rather 

 on the farmed lands comprised in a large sporting estate. 

 The Ground Game Act has of late greatly agitated those 

 interested, and done little good one way or other, but a 

 great deal of harm. Rabbits on the farm, it must be 



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