1 88 Practical Game Preserving. 



that the deviation is quite unnoticed. The innermost and 

 shortest hair is of a brownish light blue, and is only viewed 

 when one blows into the fur and discovers the skin. In 

 length, the fur is about the same as that of the wild rabbit, 

 but of very fine texture, feeling very soft and glossy to 

 the hand. 



Of course, when seeking to introduce this breed in a 

 warren, some limit less than that of the place must be put 

 on their peregrinations, else they would quickly become 

 dispersed over the whole extent of ground, and the result 

 would be very uncertain. The most advisable plan would 

 be to inclose about five acres of good ground, that would 

 be sheltered, dry, and in all respects well suited to the 

 tastes of ordinary coneys. Into the inclosure the quantity 

 of those turned down should be placed at intervals. That 

 is to say, if one intends dispersing some hundred silver-greys, 

 the plan which would most obviously commend itself would 

 be to turn away one-fourth, and see how they accommodate 

 themselves to their new style of life, and to jthe particular 

 locality chosen for their first acquaintance with a wild 

 existence. If they seem contented and take to their con- 

 dition satisfactorily, it is well. After about a fortnight an 

 addition of the remainder may be made, and as soon as 

 the whole appear to be at home, the restrictions upon their 

 movements may be withdrawn, when they will soon spread 

 out, mingle with the wild members of their tribe, and in a 

 very short time be making their existence felt by numerous 

 additions of future blue rabbits. 



If the ground be not very productive, it may not be unad- 

 visable to provide them at first with a little extra food, in 



