This animal not possessing any means of self defence is furnished by Providence with a high degree of fear. It is attentive to every alarm, and is furnished with very long ears, which are tube-like, and catch the most remote sounds. The eyes are so prominent, as to enable the animal to see both before and behind. The Hare feeds in the evening, and sleeps during the day, and, as he mostly lies on the ground, he has the feet protected, both above and below, with a thick covering of hair. In a moonlight evening many of these creatures may sometimes be seen starting together, leaping about and pursuing each other; but the least noise alarms them, and they then scamper off each in a different direction. Their pace is a kind of gallop, or quick succession of leaps; and they are very swift, particularly in ascending hills. In winter they generally choose a form exposed to the south, and in summer they change this for one looking to the north: in both cases, they have the instinct of commonly fixing on a place where the objects around them are nearly of the colour of their bodies.
THE RABBIT.
THE RABBIT.
The Rabbit abounds in Great Britain, where its skin forms a very considerable article in the manufactory of hats. Although the Hare and the Rabbit are so like each other, nature has placed a strong barrier between them, in their feeling of mutual aversion. Besides this, there is a wide difference in their habits and pursuits: the rabbit lives in holes in the earth, where it brings forth its young, and retires from the approach of danger; whilst the Hare prefers the open fields, and trusts to its speed for safety. The female makes a bed of down for her young, which she pulls off her own coat. She never leaves them, but when pressed with hunger, and returns as soon as that is supplied. During the time she tends them, she carefully conceals them from the male, lest he should devour them; and often covers up the mouth of the hole, that her retreat may not be discovered. The tame Rabbit is of various colours, and is somewhat larger than the wild Rabbit; but its flesh is not so good, being softer and more insipid. Its food is generally cabbage leaves, colewort, blades of corn, sourdock, and other moist plants; but sweet short hay, and a little clean oats, make the best diet.
THE SQUIRREL.
