148 A GUIDE FOR THE STUDY OF ANIMALS 



ears and explain what relation, if any, these characters of 

 the ears have to hearing. Note the various movements of 

 the ears and the reasons for these movements. 



1 2. What special organs for touch has the rabbit .' 

 Under what circumstances are these of use .-' What parts 

 of the body are most sensitive to touch .' 



Protection. 13. What home-making habits do you ob- 

 serve in the rabbit } What habits relating to secrecy, 

 comfort, and safety, do you observe } 



14. Study the fur and hair of the rabbit. How do you 

 distinguish between fur and hair .? What variations do 

 you find in the fur and hair .■" What parts of the body are 

 uncovered } Why } What are the various functions of 

 the fur and hair covering of rabbit } 



15. Have rabbits any means of defense or offense.' 

 Explain. 



Social Habits. 16. Notice and describe anything in 

 the behavior of the rabbits which may be classed as social, 

 — such as play, fondness for company, display of affection, 

 homing instincts, care of young, etc. 



Supplementary Study of Wild Rabbits 



If you cannot answer these questions from observations 

 of wild rabbits, the answers may be obtained by reading 

 some good natural history. Ernest Thompson Seton's 

 story of a rabbit's life is good for the purpose. 



1. What method of locomotion is more highly developed 

 in wild rabbits than in domestic rabbits .? Why .-' 



2. When do wild rabbits do their feeding ? Why ? In 

 what ways do they sometimes do damage in feeding ? 



3. What senses will probably be more alert than those 

 of the domestic rabbit .'' Why .'' 



4. Where do wild rabbits usually make their homes .' 



