130 
RABBIT. 
ting*, and winding; the rabbit has but one art of 
defence alone, but in that one finds safety ; by 
making itself a hole, where it continues a great 
part of the day, and breeds up its young ; there it 
continues secure from the fox, the hound, the kite, 
and every other enemy. 
Nevertheless, though this retreat be safe and 
convenient, the rabbit does not seem to be natural- 
ly fond of keeping there. It loves the sunny field 
and the open pasture ; it seems to be a chilly 
animal, and dislikes the coldness of its under- 
ground habitation. It is, therefore, continually 
out, when it does not fear disturbance ; and the 
female often brings forth her young at a distance 
from the warren, in a hole, not above a foot deep 
at the most. There she suckles them for about a 
month, covering them over with moss and grass, 
whenever she goes to pasture, and scratching them 
up at her return. It has been said, indeed, that 
this shallow hole without the warren, is made lest 
the male should attack and destroy her young ; 
but Goldsmith says, the male himself attends the 
young there, leads them out to feed, and conducts 
them back upon the return of the dam. This ex- 
ternal retreat seems a kind of country house, at a 
distance from the general habitation ; it is usually 
made near some spot of excellent pasture, or in the 
midst of a field of sprouting corn. To this both 
male and female often retire from the warren ; 
lead their young by night to the food which lies 
so convenient, and, if not disturbed, continue there 
till they are grown up. There they find a greater 
variety of pasture than near the warren, which is 
generally eaten bare ; and enjoy a warmer sun, by 
covering themselves up in a shallower hole. 
Whenever they arc disturbed, they then forsake 
their retreat of pleasure for one of safety ; they fly 
