Chapter V. 



RABBITS AS PETS FOR CHILDREN. 



MOST boys and some girls have a time 

 in their young lives when they desire 

 a pet rabbit above everything else. 

 If their wish is gratified they are usually given 

 a common white rabbit. These little pink-eyed 

 creatures, while pretty enough, are the least de- 

 sirable of all rabbits which might be chosen. 

 They are not especially robust or prolific, 

 and the does often make poor mothers. Of 

 course, the true Polish rabbit, which is white 

 and red-eyed, but considerably smaller than 

 the rabbits usually seen, is a good kind. Pol- 

 ish rabbits, however, are not at all common 

 in America. There are half a dozen breeds, 

 though, from among which excellent pets can 

 be chosen. They include two of the breeds 

 most often kept for utility purposes, that is to 

 say, the Belgian hares and the New Zealand 

 Reds. 



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