THE RABBIT. 237 



soaring of some hawks ; the airy, skimming flight of swal- 

 lows ; the shambling, silent flight of owls ; the graceful 

 sweeps made by the large woodpeckers between distant 

 trees; the flitting of warblers, etc., are very character- 

 istic. 



4. Their notes. Learn to recognize a bird by its voice 

 alone. Learn to recognize the meaning in the different 

 notes of some familiar birds. 



5. Their attitudes. By the position in perching alone 

 most birds may be known. 



6. Their nests. Observe the time of nesting ; the num- 

 ber, size, color, and markings of the eggs ; and the loca- 

 tion, material, and construction of the nests. 



7. The times of departure and return of the migratory 

 species. 



If a small collection of bird skins is at hand, the work 

 of identifying the species in it is commended as an excel- 

 lent means of getting a practical acquaintance with the 

 leading systematic peculiarities of a number of birds. 1 



THE RABBIT. 



(Lepus syluaticus.) 



Haunts. This animal lives in hedges, brush heaps, 

 and brier patches on the borders of fields, orchards, and 

 gardens. It is much hunted for food, and throughout the 

 winter may usually be found in the market. But market 

 specimens are usually so mutilated as to be unfit for study. 

 Specimens for study may be easily captured alive by 



1 Should any student wish to prepare a few bird skins for study, he will 

 find full directions, well illustrated by plates, in Davie's Methods in the 

 Art of Taxidermy. For further study, Coues's Key to North American 

 Birds, and Davie's Nests and Eggs of North American Birds, are 

 recommended. 



