115 



White rabbits almost invariably have pink or red eyes, 

 making a contrast with their general color. 



Some rabbits which live in the far north change 

 their color to white which corresponds with the great 

 snows which abound there, thus making a special pro- 

 tection against hawks and other enemies which it has. 

 For the same reason the fur turns brown again in sum- 

 mer. This is one of the many ^vonderful changes 

 which occur in nature for protection or oddity. 



Rabbits were introduced into Australia for the pur- 

 pose of food and to lessen the cruelty of the natives 

 toward one another. For a time the purpose was very 

 well carried out, but before long the animals became 

 so numerous as to be a nuisance, eating up nearly every 

 green thing upon the continent and so completely fill- 

 ing the ground with their burrows as to render it 

 almost unfit for traveling, especially with horses as 

 they would sink through the surface. 



I once read of a rabbit which made her nest between 

 the rails of a double tracked railroad where many 

 trains were daily thundering over her at a terrifiic 

 speed. But undaunted, however, there she made her 

 home and raised her four baby buns in peace and 

 safety. She wo aid bring them out, when the track 

 was clear for a frolic. 



OPPOSSUMS. 



( Didelp hys Virginiana. ) 

 Although we do not often find this animal by day 

 when in the woods, yet it may be caught and studied 

 with satisfaction if desirable. It is about the size of a 

 large cat, is gray blue in color and has a long pointed 

 nose. The teeth are small and numerous. The tail is 



