THE STUDY OF THE RABBIT. 61 



basic form ideas which will enable them to picture the 

 rabbit, and serves as a foundation for the study of other 

 habits and of structure. 



STEP 2. Locomotion. 



Walking. Watch Bunny in his cage, or where he has 

 little room to move about. Have children recall, or 

 better show, how they walk, moving the two legs alter- 

 nately, and then how they walk on " all fours." Why 

 do they move the right arm and left leg and the left 

 arm and right leg together ? The rabbit walks in the 

 same way, but is apt to bring his two hind feet forward 

 with a jump. Compare with walking of cat or horse or 

 dog. Bunny does not walk much. 



Hopping. His usual means of locomotion when not 

 frightened or hurried. Best seen when rabbit is loose 

 in the room. Have the children tell or show how they 

 hop. If they hop on "all fours," they will hop as the 

 rabbit does. The fore feet touch the floor one after the 

 other, then the hind feet are quickly brought forward 

 together. 



Jumping. His means of movement when hurried or 

 frightened. Notice how softly and quietly he comes 

 down, and how his feet spread out. Can only be seen 

 when he has room to jump. It is difficult to see just how 

 he does it. How do the children jump ? The rabbit 

 does it in much the same way, moves his fore feet for- 

 ward at the same time, then quickly brings his hind feet 

 forward so that they are outside and in advance of the 

 fore feet, making a jump of a yard or more. A little 

 sand or even chalk-dust scattered on the floor over which 



