THE STUDY OF THE RABBIT. 53 



with which it can be cared for, on account of the nature 

 and variety of its food. In Europe millions are raised 

 every year and sold for food; their skins and fur are 

 also largely used. 



Their original homes. Wild rabbits have been found 

 for thousands of years in the warmer parts of Europe, 

 Asia, and Africa. No true rabbits occur in America, 

 except those which have been brought here. What we 

 call wild rabbits are really hares. Have these regions 

 located by the pupils on the maps, if they are old enough 

 to use maps. Try to picture the homes of the wild rab- 

 bits in the woods and fields, and their free life as com- 

 pared with that of their tame cousins. 



Their houses. They have no boys to make houses for 

 them ; they make their own by burrowing. The tame 

 rabbit in a box of earth or loose in the yard may show 

 how the rabbits dig their burrows. The burrows are 

 said to be in a zigzag, to make it harder for other ani- 

 mals to get in ; in the side of the hill, when possible, to 

 facilitate the removal of the earth, and to have several 

 openings for escape. Because of the social instincts of 

 the rabbits, many burrows often communicate, forming 

 a " warren," in which scores may live together. The 

 mother often digs a special burrow for her young, try- 

 ing to find a dry place in light sandy soil, enlarges the 

 bottom for a " nursery," and pulling hair from her own 

 body, makes, from it and dry leaves, a comfortable bed 

 for her babies. It is said that she often remains with 

 them two days without any food. When hunger com- 

 pels her to go out, she carefully covers the opening. 



