THE STUDY OF THE RABBIT. 67 



This is an interesting step to the children, and will 

 repay careful, patient observation. 



Compare with the way in which cat washes herself. 

 Very similar. 



STEP 4. Hearing, smelling, sight. 



Need of keen senses. To aid in escaping from enemies. 



Hearing. Recall how people put their hands behind 

 their ears to help them hear better, and how they turn 

 their hands and ears toward the sound. Some of the 

 pupils may have noticed how horses turn their ears 

 toward the sound. 



Note how the rabbits lift up their ears at a sudden 

 sound, and how they are turned with the opening for- 

 ward and outward. Try to test acuteness of hearing. 

 Note position of ears when Bunny is quiet, resting or 

 sleeping. Reason for having such large ears ? 



Sight. Eyes seem to be partly open, even when rab- 

 bit is sleeping. Why? Our eyes are in front and in 

 sockets. Rabbit's eyes more at sides and are large, 

 "bulging out" more. Why? It is said that the rab- 

 bit can see behind and at the side better than straight 

 before him. It must be difficult to close the eyelids 

 over eyes that are so large and protruding. (The belief 

 that rabbits cannot shut their eyes is the basis of the 

 story " Brother Rabbit and the Ginger Cakes" in Joel' 

 Chandler Harris's Daddy Jake.) 



Smelling. Constant motion of nose. Watch nose 

 when cabbage or similar food is brought near. Does 

 the rabbit's sense of smell seem to be good? 



Summary. How do Bunny's ears, eyes, and n 

 help him ? 



