114 ANIMAL LIFE OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



much less numerous set, scattered among the others. The two 

 longer sorts of hair are more or less ringed. The coat becomes 

 thicker in winter. 



They are sexually mature at a very early age, and often begin 

 to breed before they have attained to full size. The females are 

 distinguished by the form of the head, which is longer and more 

 delicately modelled than that of the male. The males (bucks), 

 too, are restless and quarrelsome. They are promiscuous 

 breeders, and the entire care of the family falls upon the 

 mother (doe). 



Litters of Rabbits succeed one another rapidly between 

 February and September ; less frequently in the autumn and 

 winter months. The litters vary from two or three to eight, the 

 higher numbers being those of the warmer months. Young 

 Rabbits are but sparsely clothed and are blind and deaf, the 

 ears being closed and having no power of movement until 

 about the tenth day. The eyes open a day later. In a few 

 days more they can run, and make short excursions from the 

 underground nest. Before they are a month old they are 

 capable of independent existence. Until then the mother will 

 defend them against all-comers, including the Weasel and 

 Stoat, using her powerful hind feet against her adversary, and 

 to good purpose. 



The Rabbit is a much smaller animal than the Hare, greyer 

 in colour, with smaller ears and feet, and the black tips of the 

 ears so noticeable in the Hare, are in the Rabbit much reduced 

 or altogether wanting. Its average weight and measurements 

 are : weight, 2^ to 3 Ibs. ; length of head and body, i6J ins., 

 tail, 3f ins., ear, 3 ins., hind foot with claws, 3^ ins. It also differs 

 from the Hare in the structure of its heavier skull, its smaller 

 eyes, shorter ears, and lesser specialisation of the limbs for 

 speed in running. 



It is believed that originally the Rabbit was a native only of 

 the western parts of the Mediterranean region where it still 



