184 WOODLAND CREATURES 



passing a paw behind a ear and drawing the ear 

 down over its nose, after which it picked its paw 

 and wiped its ear again. In the meantime the 

 cat was creeping closer and closer, its tail twitching 

 with eager anxiety, but the rabbits were aware 

 of its approach, and again hopped off. Probably 

 it would have got one at last, but an overpowering 

 desire to sneeze suddenly seized me ; the very 

 effort to suppress it made it louder when it did 

 break forth, and a moment later the rabbits 

 were bolting in panic for the wood. The cat 

 made a half-hearted rush at one as it sped past, 

 and then slunk off. 



Though I have never actually seen a fox 

 stalking rabbits, it is probable they are equally 

 indifferent to its presence, unless threatening 

 actual danger, for I have seen one pass close 

 to some feeding rabbits without alarming them. 

 Yet in some respects how little it does take to 

 frighten them. A mere footstep will be 

 sufficient. When a rabbit is aware of an 

 intruder it quickly notifies its neighbours by 

 thumping on the ground with its heels, for 

 sound and vibrations carry far along the 

 ground. This danger signal is invariably given 

 before a rabbit takes flight, when its bobbing 

 white tail also notifies its friends that it is off. 

 Many naturalists consider that the purpose of 

 the white tail is to act as a danger signal, and 

 it is certainly not nearly so noticeable when 

 the rabbit is merely hopping about or feeding 

 quietly. It is also a fact that if a rabbit 



