RABBIT
—is the well-known animal, bearing some similitude to the HARE in its formation, but no proportional excellence as a luxury for the table. Rabbits are of two kinds, the wild, and domestic; the latter of which are bred in hutches exceedingly tame, and in a sporting view lay claim to no consideration. The wild rabbits are much inferior in size, and many shades lighter in the colour of their fur, than the hare, to whom they have a natural and an invincible aversion; which, in fact, seems to be mutual, as they are but rarely found in the purlieus of each other. The rabbit, in its wild and uncultivated state, (not part of, or appertaining to a warren,) is thought of but very little intrinsic value, and is killed or taken as a matter of public right, by individuals of every class who happen to find them; not being included in the late acts of parliament for the PRESERVATION of the GAME; although they are mentioned as conies in some of the former records, which, though unrepealed, are seldom resorted to for legal information. Rabbits in a WARREN are supposed the most prolific and profitable animal of any that contributes to human subsistence: these warrens are common in many parts of the kingdom, but more particularly in Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, and Cambridgeshire, by the three last of which counties the Metropolis is supplied for its almost infinite consumption. The scent of a rabbit is exceedingly faint in comparison with the HARE, FOX, or FALLOW DEER; they, however, by jumping up suddenly, frequently lead hounds a little astray, but cannot stand long before them.
RABBITS propagate so rapidly, and increase so largely, in some parks and farms of a woodland country, that they become, by their numbers, exceedingly injurious, and an occasional reduction is found unavoidably necessary, as a matter of self defence; in which case RABBIT SHOOTING is found a most pleasant diversion. This is enjoyed with the assistance of a brace of spaniels, which being turned into the bushes and hedge-rows, are hardly ever without a rabbit on foot: but it must be a very quick and good shot to prove successful, as their short turns, and sudden twists, render them a very difficult mark to hit. Warreners, in some parts of the kingdom, are called warren farmers, whose premises are of very great extent, and the rent from three to four and five hundred pounds a year: the rabbits in these are so completely private property, that various Acts are still in force for their preservation, and the summary punishment of offenders (before a justice of peace) for any transgression against the statutes in such case made and provided.