THE ZooLocisT—APRIL, 1875. 4395 
Rock Rabbit (Hyrax capensis).—This curious animal is not a 
true rabbit, but is no doubt identical with the “ coney” of Palestine ; 
it is about the same size as the common wild rabbit of England, 
which it closely resembles in colour, but the fur is shorter and 
smoother: it has very small ears and no tail. Naturalists do not 
agree as to the affinities of the rock rabbit: Cuvier places it 
between the rhinoceros and the tapir. There is a large colony 
of rock rabbits under the cliffs on our estate: they do not 
burrow, but live in the holes and crevices of the rocks, forming a 
large warren, where they reside in great security from most of their 
enemies. The rock-snake or python is the foe most to be dreaded, 
as it inhabits the same localities. The rock rabbit feeds largely 
on the roots of different plants, but its favourite food seems to be 
the fruit of a species of wild plum. In search of these we have 
seen it climb the trees and sit on the branches, although, from the 
formation of its feet, we should not have thought it capable of doing 
so. Early in the morning or in the evening, on visiting their warren, 
we are sure to see a number of them sitting on the rocks, outside 
their holes, calling to one another with their shrill chirp: the male 
coming out first calls to the female, who soon appears on another 
ledge of rock. If care be taken at this time they can be easily 
shot, but unless killed outright they will drop into their holes, and 
not be seen again. The flesh is dry and rather tasteless, but may 
be made into a good curry. The coney is easily domesticated ; 
we have had it tame, but jit is necessary to keep it confined. We 
have not heard of their breeding in confinement, but have no 
doubt they would do so if well managed. ‘To see the great heaps 
of dung under the rocks one would think that they never changed 
their abode. The Dutch, by sewing the skins together, make fine 
“karrosses” or rugs of them. When the grass is young and tender 
the rock rabbits are sometimes tempted out from their secluded 
home, and may be seen grazing on the heights above, but they 
generally avoid the rays of the sun. 
Jumping Hare (Helamys capensis).—This quadruped, although 
called a hare is more nearly allied to the jerboas, possessing the 
same extraordinary power of leaping a long distance at one bound. 
It is common in Natal, where it frequents rocky hills and the stony 
courses of dry river-beds: in these places it may be seen sitting 
upright on a boulder eating its food with its front paws, and when 
startled it soon disappears by a series of bounds from rock to rock. 
