268 GNAWING ANIMALS 



they make up in cunning and quickness. To aid in their 

 preservation, Nature has given them colors that blend so 

 perfectly with their surroundings that a rabbit crouching 

 low is often compelled to run to avoid being trodden upon. 

 When hard pressed for a nesting-place in a city, a Gray 

 Rabbit has been known to dig a shallow hole in the smooth 

 lawn of the Smithsonian grounds at Washington, line it with 

 her own fur, and rear her young in it, within forty feet of the 

 National Museum building and a busy roadway, without 

 discovery by dogs or men until the mowers found the nest 

 almost under their feet. Every year one or two pair breed 

 in the adjoining grounds of the Department of Agriculture. 



When a rabbit can have his choice of hiding-places, he 

 chooses a burrow directly beneath a large tree, the roots of 

 which render it difficult, or it may be impossible, for man or 

 beast to dig him out. Crevices in rock ledges are equally 

 good, but he often finds that hollow logs, hollow trees, and 

 brush piles only lead to swift destruction. 



He never sleeps in daylight, when enemies are afoot. 

 If the Man-With-a-Gun approaches, he crouches low and 

 lies as still as a stuffed rabbit, breathing seldom, winking 

 never, but with legs all ready to spring. His keen eyes and 

 ears measure every yard of his enemy's approach until the 

 dead-line is crossed when — zip! Out flashes a long, gray 

 streak, — flying over logs, and darting through openings so 

 swiftly that in two or three seconds a snow-white signal 

 flag waves an adieu, and disappears. 



In summer hares and rabbits feed on green twigs, soft 

 bark, buds, grass, leaves, and berries. In winter they are 



