Rabbits and Hares Mammals 
it and kicking it savagely with its strong hind-feet. 
They can also bite, and the bucks sometimes injure 
each other in this manner. There is one record, at 
least, of a Belgian hare that butted cats like a billy- 
goat, until all the cats in the neighborhood were 
afraid of her. 
VARIETIES OF RABBITS 
All our many breeds of domesticated rabbits are 
supposed to have descended from a species that still 
abounds in the regions of the Mediterranean Sea. 
With the exception of the dog, the rabbit has been 
bred by man to greater variations than has any other 
mammal. The most noted breeds are the following: 
The Lop-eared is an English breed; for at least 
one hundred and fifty years careful attention has 
been given to developing the ears of this rabbit, until 
they have been known to measure twenty-three 
inches in length, and six inches in width. These rab- 
bits show great variety in color. 
The Belgian hare is really a rabbit. It has been 
developed especially for size, and has been used ex- 
tensively for food in Europe. 
The Angora rabbit has fine, long fur; sometimes 
its hair is six or seven inches long, and much atten- 
tion must be given to combing it in order to keep it 
decent. The most prized Angoras are albinos. 
The Himalayan rabbit is white, with nose, ears, 
tail and feet black, or very dark. It is a very pretty 
animal, and is bred for beauty in Europe. It has 
no connection whatever with the Himalayan Moun- 
tains. 
The Dutch rabbits are small, sweet-tempered, and 
handsomely colored. The cheeks, eyes and the en- 
tire body back of the shoulders are of solid dark col- 
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