GRAY RABBIT. 177 



In the Northern and Middle States, where the burrows of the Maryland 

 marmot {Arctomijs monax) and the holes resorted to by the common skunk, 

 {Mephitis chinga.) are numerous, the Gray Rabbit, in order to effect its 

 escape when pursued, betakes itself to them, and as they are generally 

 deep, or placed among rocks or roots, it would require more labour to un- 

 earth it when it has taken possession of either of these animals' retreats 

 than it is worth, and it is generally left unmolested. It is not always safe 

 in these cases, however, for the skunk occasionally is " at home " when 

 the Rabbit runs into his hole, and often catches and devours the as- 

 tonished fugitive before it can retrace its steps and reach the mouth of 

 the burrow. 



This species is also captured occasionally by the skunk and other car- 

 nivorous animals when in its form. Its most formidable enemy, how- 

 ever, is the ermine, which follows its tracks until it retires to a hole 

 in the earth or to a hollow tree, which the little but ferocious creature, 

 although not one-fourth as large as the timid Rabbit, quickly enters 

 and kills it — eating off the head, and leaving the body until a want of 

 food compels it to return for more. 



Whilst residing in the State of New- York many years ago, we were 

 desirous of preserving a number of Rabbits during the winter from the 

 excessive cold and from the hands of the hunters, who killed so many 

 that we feared the race wouldbenearly extirpated in our neighbourhood ; 

 our design being to set them at liberty in the spring. At this period we 

 had in confinement several weasels of two species existing in that part 

 of the country, {Putorius erminea and P.fusca,) in order to ascertain in 

 what manner their change of colour from brown in summer to white in 

 winter, and vice versa, was effected. 



We bethought ourselves of using one of each species of these weasels 

 instead of a ferret, to aid in taking the RabLits we wanted, and having 

 provided ourselves with a man and a dog to hunt the Rabbits to their holes, 

 we took the weasels in a small tin box with us, having first tied a small 

 cord around their necks in such a manner as to prevent them from es- 

 caping, or remaining in the holes to eat the Rabbits, whilst it could not 

 slip and choke them. 



We soon raced a Rabbit to its hole, and our first experiment was made 

 with the little brown weasel, (P. fusca ;) it appeared to be frighten- 

 ed, and refused to enter the hole ; the common species, (P. erminea,) al- 

 though we had captured the individual but a few days before, entered 

 readily ; but having its jaws at liberty, it killed the Rabbit. Relinquish- 

 ing the weasel to our man, he afterwards filed its teeth down to prevent 

 it from destroying the Rabbits ; and when thus rendered harmless, the 



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