262 FAMILIAR LIFE IN FIELD AND FOREST. 



iiing horses in Mr. Muy bridge's extraordinary photo- 

 graphs ; consequently he developed a speed not very 

 far short of that of the wild .,=..,„ rabbit. 



The gray rabbit burrows 

 in the earth and in the 

 hollows of decaying trees, and 

 winters in quite a snug retreat ; 

 often he finds the deserted burrow of 

 the woodchuck quite acceptable for 

 a home. The prolific female bears 

 from four to six young, and she rears from three 

 to four families a year. She lines her nest with 

 soft leaves, grasses, and the fur from her own body. 

 In about thirty days the young rabbits are able to 

 shift for themselves. Like the other small animals 

 the rabbit forms regular 



'Doubled up." 



Very young Rabbit. Young Rabbit. 



runways, and in these he is easily trapped. He is 

 so common in some localities that he may be seen 

 day and night skipping through the woods, although, 

 as a rule, he is supposed to be fairly nocturnal in his 

 habits. 



