RABBITS 167 
son is from April to September or even later. 
The young are produced in natural depressions 
under rocks, stumps, or weeds, or in shallow 
burrows made by other animals. When these 
are lacking, the female scratches a shallow hole 
under a bunch of grass or weeds, makes a nest 
of leaves or grasses and lines it with fur from 
her own body. Here the, young, averaging in 
most of our species about four, are produced; 
they are fully furred and have their eyes open 
when born. 
The female, while caring for her young, re- 
mains in the vicinity of the nest. If enemies 
approach, she runs away for a short distance; 
but when the young are attacked and cry out, 
she has been known to fight desperately in their 
‘defense, and even to vanquish such a formidable 
foe as a cat or a snake. When attacking, she 
jumps and strikes the enemy with her hind 
feet—members capable of a powerful blow, as 
many a boy who has captured a live. rabbit can 
testify. 
Young rabbits are attended and suckled in 
the nest for about three weeks, after which they 
are left to shift. for themselves. Since suc- 
