54 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 



all unusual for specimens fattened for the table to 

 make up to seventeen pounds and upwards. 



It is desirable to give breeding does large hutches, 

 from five to six feet in length, with about one third 

 partitioned off for sleeping box, the aperture into which 

 should be large enough to admit the rabbit without 

 touching her large semi-erect ears. They are rather 

 lumbering clumsy animals, and not likely to trouble 

 about lowering their heads when going in or out of a 

 doorway. 



They are usually good tempered and docile, kind and 

 attentive mothers, but if cramped for room, sometimes 

 cause injury to their young by stepping or lying upon 

 them. 



They are found to breed very true to colour when 

 properly mated ; the sandy colour sometimes seen is not 

 desirable, and is thought to be the result of a former 

 cross with the Belgian Hare. Shades of grey only are 

 preferred, except on the belly and under parts, where 

 white and pale yellow is allowable, but the general 

 appearance of the rabbit is grey, rather deeper and richer 

 than in its wild cousin. Of course a variety of shades 

 will be found, even in members of the same litter, but the 

 more uniform they are in this respect the better. 



As a rule the does do not have such large litters as in 

 some other varieties, perhaps from five to seven on an 

 average. 



In feeding and general management, except as 

 mentioned about size of hutches, what I have said 

 respecting Belgian Hares will apply to Patagonians, 



