HARE KIND. 135 



their destruction bears a near proportion to their 

 fertility. 



But although their numbers be diminished by 

 every beast and bird of prey, and still more by 

 man himself, yet there is no danger of their ex- 

 tirpation. The hare is a poor defenceless animal, 

 that has nothing but its swiftness to depend on 

 for safety : its numbers are, therefore, every day 

 decreasing j and in countries that are well peo- 

 pled, the species are so much kept under, that 

 laws are made for their preservation. Still, how- 

 ever, it is most likely that they will be at last 

 totally destroyed ; and like the wolf or the elk 

 in some countries, be only kept in remem- 

 brance. But it is otherwise with the rabbit, its 

 fecundity being greater, and its means of safety 

 more certain. The hare seems to have more 

 various arts and instincts to escape its pursuers, 

 by doubling, squatting, and winding ; the rabbit 

 has but one art of defence alone, but in that 

 one finds safety ; by making itself a hole, where 

 it continues a great part of the day, and breeds 

 up its young : there it continues secure from the 

 fox, the hound, the kite, and every other enemy. 



Nevertheless, though this retreat be safe and 

 convenient, the rabbit does not seem to be natu- 

 rally fond of keeping there. It loves the sunny 

 field and the open pasture ; it seems to be a chilly 

 animal, and dislikes the coldness of its under- 

 ground habitation. It is, therefore, continually 

 out, when it does not fear disturbance ; and the 

 female often brings forth her young at a distance 

 from the warren, in a hole not above a foot deep 



