CHAPTER XXXII 

 The Rabbits, Pocket Gophers, Moles, and Shrews 



THE Rabbits probably rank next to the meadow mice as 

 widespread destroyers in field, garden, and orchard. In 

 the region east of the Great Plains the familiar Cottontail 

 or Gray Rabbit is abundant. In the Northern states the 

 Varying Hare or Northern Rabbit is found. In the West 

 some form of the large Jack Rabbit occurs, as well as vari- 

 ous sorts of Cottontail Rabbits. Consequently, rabbits 

 are found over the whole United States, and do injury 

 wherever abundant. 



The damage done by Rabbits is due to their voracity and 

 abundance. They require large amounts of food and 

 multiply rapidly. They eat plant products exclusively, 

 including bark, branches, buds, leaves, flowers, fruits, and 

 seeds. Wheat, oats, barley, corn, clovers, alfalfa, and other 

 grains and grasses are destroyed in the field. Peas, beans, 

 cabbage, melons, and other vegetables are destroyed in the 

 garden. Bark, twigs, shrubs, and young trees are devoured 

 in the orchard and nursery. 



With so varied a food supply, Rabbits naturally prefer 

 the more tender and succulent products. Consequently, 

 grain, forage, and garden crops, or fallen fruits are most 

 commonly eaten, bark, twigs, and other less edible things 

 being attacked chiefly in winter or in seasons of drought. 

 The chief injury to orchard trees occurs in winter, when 

 the bark is stripped off in a characteristic manner. 



In the Western alfalfa fields Rabbits are often very 



321 



