NATURAL HISTORY OF THE RABBIT 37 



hundreds of bushels. As there has been no mortahty 

 among the rabbits worth mentioning, I conclude that 

 acorns may be supplied freely in large quantities.' 



In addition to acorns, such pasture as they can 

 get for themselves may be supplemented by hay, 

 crushed oats, and wood-cuttings for the sake of the 

 bark. This of course applies rather to warrens and 

 to places where the food is restricted by reason of 

 enclosure with wire-netting. 



Where rabbits are not restrained within certain 

 limits, but are able to get out and roam where they 

 list in quest of food, they can generally manage to get 

 a living without any such assistance as that above 

 indicated, even in districts which look most bare and 

 unproductive. It would not be supposed that there 

 is much nourishment to be derived from sand-grass, 

 for example ; and yet, in the sand-hills by the sea 

 the rabbits are generally in very good condition. The 

 mention of sand-hills reminds us of a ' dodge ' for 

 bolting a rabbit without the aid of a ferret when the 

 burrow happens to be within reach of the sea-shore, 

 and the footprints of the occupant show that he is 

 ' at home.' Having obtained a lively specimen of a 

 shore crab, produce a piece of wax or composite 

 candle, about an inch in length, and having stuck it 

 on the back of the crab with a few drops of melted 



