CHAPTER V 



THE BLACK AND TAN RABBIT 



THIS must be looked upon as one of the latest candidates 

 for favour of all the Rabbit tribe, as there is no record of 

 any appearing until within the last twenty years. 



As I have not heard of any importations of the 

 variety it seems to be generally admitted they are home 

 productions, the result of some cross breeding, but there 

 is considerable doubt as to what were the parents of the 

 earliest specimens. 



From the first the black has been better in its purity 

 and denseness than the tan, which has usually failed in 

 brightness and evenness of tint. Up to the present 

 time, breeders have found this their most important 

 obstacle to success, as well as the keeping the black from 

 being marked, or speckled, with tan hairs. 



For some time there was a diversity of opinion as to 

 the size of specimens for show purposes, some going for 

 those from five to seven pounds and more, and others 

 preferring those not exceeding five pounds in weight. 



I think the smaller size is now most in favour, and 

 that rabbits above five pounds in weight must be un- 



