RABBIT. 279 



length, twisting upwards or downwards, and at times 

 even endangering the sight of the eyes. 



The wild Babbit inhabits the British Isles, France, 

 Belgium, and Germany, and also abounds in the Falk- 

 lands, and Ascension Island. 



The Babbit dwells in burrows, about 4 to 6 feet deep, 

 generally excavated in dry loose soil or sand, and often 

 in banks and slightly elevated situations. It is adverse 

 to marshy and wet districts. It loves positions near the 

 sea-side, such as dunes, and is often found on the edge 

 of dry sandstone cliffs, even on the edges of precipitous 

 cliffs, and among rocks, such as the Bass Bock. It 

 thrives best on sandy and dry soils. It usually quits its 

 burrow to feed in the early morning, and just before 

 twilight. It is not nocturnal, but is averse to the 

 scorching heat of the sun. Stock-doves, Wheat-ears, 

 Sheldrakes, and Puffins often inhabit the same burrow 

 as the Babbit. 



The Babbit feeds on most vegetable food, and is some- 

 times carnivorous. It is especially fond of cow's 

 parsley, and nibbles the gorse bushes very close, causing 

 this plant to grow into fantastic shapes, almost like the 

 figures in a Dutch garden. It sometimes nibbles the 

 furze bushes into a series of fiat shelves or platforms one 

 above the other. The ravages it commits in corn-fields 

 and hop-gardens is considerable, but wire netting is a 

 very effectual remedy. The Ground Game Bill has 

 acted beneficially in this instance ; but it was anticipated 

 to a certain extent in Kent by the tenants being allowed 

 to kill this animal on the land they rented before this 

 BUI was passed. In severe winters, when the snow lies 

 thick on the ground, the Babbits are thus enabled to 

 reach the thin twigs in hedges and copses, and after the 

 snow has disappeared, the w^iite marks, where they have 



