The Rabbit."] OF ORKNEY. 39 



GENUS IX THE RABBIT. 



Gen. C/itf /. - Two cutting teeth in each jaw ; long ears ; a short tail ; five toes 



before, four behind. 



Cuniculus, the Rabbit or Cony, Rail Syn. Quad. 205. Lepus Cuniculus, 

 Lin. Sys. 77. Sib. Scot. 1 1 . Pen. Brit. Zool. 1. 90. IV. 4 1 . pi. 47. fig. 2. 

 Ejusd. Syn. Quad. 251. Ore. Cuning. 



MANY of the islands of Orkney swarm with rabbits. Their 

 skins make a considerable article in trade ; are very profita- 

 ble to the proprietors of sandy grounds on this account, and 

 their flesh ; though I am afraid, upon calculation, it would be 

 found the mischief they do, both in corn and grass grounds, 

 by boring and subjecting them to blowing, is not counterba- 

 lanced by the profits of the warrens ; but it often happens 

 that present advantage makes us overlook future inconve- 

 nience. The rabbits here are all of a brownish gray ; it some- 

 times happens, though seldom, a white one is seen ; but the 

 former is the prevailing colour, with the belly lighter. Those 

 that keep constantly in the mountains are in winter hoary. 

 At this season the fur is most valuable, and each skin is sold 

 here for fourpence or fivepence, but when brought to a pro- 

 per market will fetch sixpence. 



The rabbit is very prolific, breeds many times a-year, and 

 indeed, except in the dead of winter, we seldom see them 



