4 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 



which may afford some of the novices amongst my readers 

 practical information as to what they should seek after 

 and avoid in their dealings with other fanciers. 



The variety known as the Lops, although probably still 

 looked upon as pillars of the rabbit fancy, are, I think, 

 not so extensively kept, or at anyrate, not so often met 

 with, in classes for them only, at many of the shows as 

 was formerly the case. 



\ / Theire/may be several reasons for this, one being that 

 they are .supposed to require warmer quarters than any 

 othrjr varieties!, fef the rabbit tribe. 



And this is probably why it is found that bakers 

 and eating-house keepers are some of the most successful 

 with this variety, where the length and width of the ears 

 form such important items in the production of high-class 

 specimens. 



One of the most popular varieties of late years, both 

 in these countries and in America, where it has been 

 " boomed " to an unusual extent, is the Belgian hare. 



This is not only of pleasing appearance, greatly 

 resembling in colour and shape, while nearly approaching 

 in size, our native wild hare, but also has the additional 

 recommendation of making an excellent dish for the 

 table ; and for the several purposes of showing and eating, 

 there are probably more Belgian hare rabbits being bred 

 at the present time than of any other of the family, 

 except the wild rabbits so common in this country, and 

 which have proved such a trouble to some of our 

 Colonies. 



The family of the Silvers forms a very interesting 



