52 NATURE STUDY. 



Care of rabbits. Importance of cleanliness. Feeding 

 them. What, how, when ? Importance of often giving 

 them their liberty, letting them run about. How they 

 appreciate kindness shown them ; how affectionate and 

 trustful they sometimes become. (See Cowper's account 

 of the treatment of his hares.) 



Home life. How affectionate they usually are. How 

 pleased to be with one another when placed together 

 after separation. (It is often asserted that a rabbit, 

 accustomed to the company of others, will pine and soon 

 die if kept alone.) How they huddle together when 

 resting or asleep. How they play and frolic together, 

 particularly when let loose. Their scrupulous cleanli- 

 ness, usually ; how they wash themselves and one an- 

 other. Their care of their young. 



Summary. Have a definite oral summary with as few 

 questions as possible, having two or more pupils tell all 

 they can and as clearly as they can about each of the 

 following points : 



The homes of the tame rabbit. 



How we should care for the rabbit, and how they show 

 their gratitude for our kindness. 



How the rabbits love and care for one another. 



STEP 2. The homes from which the rabbits first came. 



The rabbits were not always pets. Like the horse 

 and cat and dog, and all our domestic animals and pets, 

 they were once wild. 



Why made a pet. Review those characteristics brought 

 out in previous step, which make the rabbit a good pet; 

 its tameness ; its cleanliness ; the comparative ease 



