n6 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 



delightfully sparkling to the eye. The ground colour 

 next to the skin should be of a dark slaty appearance, 

 the darker the better, as in Silver Greys ; then comes a 

 lovely rich brown with tints of purple, this is a shade 

 almost indescribable, terminating on top with an even 

 mixture of the three distinct colours, viz., brown, black 

 and white hairs. The amount of colour on the surface 

 constitutes to a greater or lesser degree the demarcation of 

 the different shades required to make up a dark, medium, 

 or light shade. 



"The points to be avoided are : (i) Unevenness in 

 shade of colour throughout, from the nose to the end of 

 the tail ; (2) having what is termed a cloudy head, that 

 is, the head and ears being much darker in colour than 

 the body ; (3) ears long and tulip-shaped, with fringe, or 

 what is known as beading, round the top, this should 

 especially be bred out and be beadless ; (4) barred or 

 brown front feet, or hind feet white or partially so ; (5) 

 white speck on the nose, or light chest ; and (6) fur or 

 coat long and open, with pale ground colour. 



All these are defects which are to be found, not only 

 in this variety, but also in others of the Silver tribe. 



The appearance should be cobby altogether, in size 

 rather longer than a Dutch, weight about seven or eight 

 pounds, having neat, short ears, showing as much front as 

 possible, without the inner ear being visible. 



I consider the eyes important in selling the rabbit to 

 advantage ; these should be of a sparkling rich dark hazel 

 colour, rather large and prominent. 



Fur short and thick, to feel soft and silky when 



