228 DENIZENS OF THE DESERT, 



cactuses, completely girdled, the pulp-meat 

 having been gouged out an inch of more deep 

 all around. Around the base of each was a ring 

 of excreta, leaving no doubt as to who the 

 nibblers were. The desert rabbits seldom drink, 

 but depend almost wholly for water on such 

 foods. During the summer months their body 

 excretions are reduced to the lowest minimum, 

 and even though they can get to succulent food 

 supplies only occasionally, they suffer little from 

 thirst. A rabbit never perspires in the ordinary 

 sense of the term in so far as I can learn. The 

 sweat glands which function actively are very 

 few and are probably confined to small areas of 

 the skin. 



The young come in April or May — bom 

 with eyes wide open and with bodies well 

 clothed with hair. No days of helplessness are 

 waiting for them. They stand ready to be off 

 almost as soon as they see the world. Within a 

 few weeks after birth these little fellows are 

 showing much independence, getting around at 

 a lively clip and indiscreetly giving hostages to 

 fortune by exposing themselves to every enemy 

 that may lie in wait for them. 



