REMARKS ABOUT RABBITS 121 



he may be seen sedulously assisting his mate in the 

 anxious cares of the moment, covering part of the eggs, or 

 scarcely-hatched chicks, as he sits side by side with her ; 

 and often, in the earlier stages, he seems to be ' on duty ' 

 at no great distance from the sitting hen. One instance 

 came to my knowledge, many years since, in which the 

 cock bird was evidently not only near the nest, but ready 

 to exhibit its prowess in the protection of his mate and 

 her charge. 



" A wild rabbit used occasionally to come out to feed 

 somewhat too near the sacred precincts, and as often as he 

 did so, the partridge was sure to pounce on him, and 

 after a short engagement, in which wing and bill were 

 both freely used, in spite of the great disparity between 

 the size and strength of the combatants, the pluck and 

 determination of the game little bird invariably prevailed, 

 and the discomfited rabbit was always compelled to with- 

 draw to a more respectful distance." 



From Bingleys Animal Biography , written just a 

 hundred years ago, the following is quoted, which, in the 

 face of what is taking place in our Colonies, is rather 

 interesting : 



"The fecundity of this animal is truly astonishing. 

 It breeds seven times in the year, and generally produces 

 seven or eight young ones at a time. 



" Supposing this to happen regularly for about four 

 years, the progeny from a single pair will amount to more 

 than a million ! 



" Their numerous enemies prevent any increase likely 

 to prove injurious to mankind, for, besides their affording 



