THE GUN AT HOME AND ABROAD 
legs and the stride and grace of a racehorse, moves away so evenly that 
most people do not realize her true speed. No one who has shot at a hare 
can doubt her superior pace. 
Sportsmen who shoot much over inarshes and districts where dykes 
and drains abound, must have noticed that hares, and occasionally rabbits 
also, will take to the water when hard pressed. Hares have a great liking 
for sitting out upon the higher ground of the saltings, and then, of course, 
when overtaken by a spring -tide, they are sometimes forced to swim the 
creeks in order to reach dry land. Rabbits probably have less occasion 
for exercising their swimming powers, since they do not travel so far 
away from the woods and hedge banks, in which they usually take up 
their quarters. Nevertheless, they have been occasionally observed to 
swim well. The appearance presented by a rabbit when swimming as 
compared with a squirrel and stoat, is well shown in a sketch by Mr J. G. 
Millais at page 44 of his work on “ British Deer.” For the purpose of 
obtaining accurate pictures of the various modes in which wild animals 
swim, he had live specimens caught and placed in the water, and then 
rowed alongside them for some distance, until he had made correct outline 
sketches. 
Rabbits are unquestionably the kind of stock to make the finest turf; 
they bite closer than any other animal that grazes, and the best turf for 
gardens is that taken from warrens, or from downland on which rabbits 
abound. Sandy commons covered with furze are a favourite resort of 
rabbits, and on such ground they often increase rapidly in numbers. 
The soil being light and friable, is easily excavated, and the furze affords 
not only a secure retreat, but also a never failing supply of food in the 
young tops of the plants, which are sufficiently tender before the spines 
have become matured. 
In the choice of food rabbits do not appear to be very particular. They 
will eat almost anything that is green. Indeed, so destructive are they 
to most plants and young growing trees, that it is a matter of importance 
to game preservers, who want underwood in the coverts as shelter for 
pheasants, to ascertain what shrubs are “ rabbit proof.” Common rhodo- 
dendron, though not absolutely “ rabbit proof,” is not so liable to be at- 
tacked as many other shrubs. It will grow in shady places better than 
any other evergreen, especially if the soil is sandy and moist. But although, 
as a rule, rabbits will not injure rhododendrons when the latter are 
well established, they will gnaw them— when freshly planted— unless 
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