168 OUR BACKDOOR NEIGHBORS 



since the number of rabbits had multiplied 

 surprisingly. Only once did the Naturalist 

 lose patience and permit two hunters to spend 

 a half day hunting rabbits. They were in- 

 structed that no matter what else they saw they 

 must not shoot. Birds, squirrels, even skunks 

 must be protected, but the rabbits were get- 

 ting too thick. As a result of their few hours' 

 shoot the two men killed sixty rabbits. In 

 spite of his damaged shrubs the Naturalist 

 felt very guilty, and could not quite bring him- 

 self to permit the shooting to be repeated, al- 

 though he never could see that there were any 

 less rabbits than there were before. The an- 

 imals multiply so rapidly in a protected area 

 that they soon become a real problem. If it 

 had not been for the fact that the polecat 

 family sometimes dined on rabbit, they would 

 have overrun the place. 



In spite of their mischief the Naturalist and 

 all his family loved the little animals, and 

 never tired of watching their play. Baby Ruth 

 watched them with delight and would call 

 "Bunny Rabbit," "There's Bunny Rabbit." 



The rabbit is a timid and defenseless animal, 

 and a harassed life is his. With his numerous 

 enemies his life is constantly in peril. Hunters 



