THE BABBIT. 



tion is necessary to be observed in tlie cleansing, it is a good 

 plan to have a false bottom which may be drawn out, like that 

 of a bird-cage, for the removal of the excrements, and ongLt to 

 be every morning scraped and strewed, with a little sand, or in 

 cold weather covered slightly with refuse hay ; for rabbits will 

 never thrive unless kept dry and clean. 



To these directions for hutch building may properly be 

 added the following hint provided by Mr. Delamer : — 



"Breeding does, when kept in hutches, are much better 

 each in a hutch to herself, than inhabitLag one common dwel- 

 ling, however roomy it may be. When a number of does live 

 in the same hutch, the consequences are sometimes quite as 

 unfortunate as if the buck were in company with them. If a 

 doe kindles, and leaves her little ones a moment to feed, the 

 other does immediately crowd round the nest through an 

 instinct of curiosity, peep into it, and not seldom disturb it 

 with their fore-paws. The mother rushes up to drive the 

 other does away ; a battle ensues ; and half the little rabbits 

 are either killed or wounded for life. The pregnant does 

 which take part in these skirmishes, generally suffer abortion 

 in consequence of their excitement, and the blows which they 

 give and receive in the combat. Their owner may read the 

 Biot Act afterwards, but the mischief is done." 



VAKIETIBS OF BABBITS. 



Eabbits are divided into four kinds, distinguished as war- 

 reners, parkers, hedgehogs, and sweethearts. The warrener, as 

 his name implies, is a member of a subterranean community, 

 and is less effeminate than his kindred who dwell wpon the 

 earth and have " the world at tkeir will," and his for is the 

 most esteemed. After him comes the parker, whose favourite 

 resort is a gentleman's pleasure-ground, where he usually 



