Photo by C. Reid] [Wishaw, N.B.
WILD RABBITS.
The wild rabbit has now spread to the north of Scotland, where this picture was taken. It is also common in the Hebrides.
The Rabbit is too well known to need description either of its habits or appearance. It originally came from the countries south of the Mediterranean, but is now common in Northern Europe, and has become a pest in Australia and New Zealand. The rabbit breeds when six months old, and has several litters in each year.
CHAPTER X.
THE BATS AND INSECT-EATING MAMMALS.
BY W. P. PYCRAFT, A.L.S., F.Z.S.
These two groups are really closely allied; but the bats are generally considered apart, on account of their totally different mode of life. Originally, like their more commonplace relatives, they were dwellers upon the earth, or, more correctly, among the trees. By gradual modification of the fore limbs, and a corresponding development of folds of skin attached thereto, and to the body, they have acquired the power of flight. The cobego, to be mentioned presently, gives us a hint of how this may have come about.