MOORLAND IDYLLS. 



members scuttle after it apace without wait- 

 ing to inquire into the nature of the panic. 

 The mouth of the burrow runs quite straight 

 just at first, so that the retreating bunny 

 can dash into it at full speed without check- 

 ing his pace ; but at a convenient point, a 

 few feet in, it begins to bend and divaricate, 

 besides branching and subdividing as a pre- 

 caution against weasels and other vermin 

 enemies. It has also at least two entrances 

 and exits, like a room at the theatre, in case 

 of pursuit ; and it is cunningly engineered 

 against the chance of intrusion. But the 

 nursing - chamber, where the timid wee 

 mother hides her naked and shapeless 

 young, is quite differently contrived with 

 but a single mouth, and is fitted up with 

 every internal luxury. The good parent 

 lines it with soft fur pulled from her own 

 warm coat, and goes stealthily by night to 

 suckle her little ones. When she comes 

 away, she plasters up the entrance with 

 earth to conceal it as well as she can from 



40 



