Evening star., 1936-05-04
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL.

Few animals have such large eyes, in
proportion to their bodies, as the common
brown rabbit.
They are large and bulging, enabling
the animal to look in all directions at
once.
Perhaps it is because it is so sure of its
vision that this rabbit is unusually bold.
We meet one every morning, in the
same front yard and he shows no timid-
ity whatever but sits upright, wiggling
his nose, and cycling us with those big
eyes.
He seems to like the sound of the
human voice. Usually he cocks his head,
from time to time, as if listening intently.
This is not pet animal, 1t must be
understood, but one of the wild type
which has come to the suburbs from
nearby fields and forests.
The back is a dark brown, and the
forelegS, especially are very light and
pretty tan. There seems to be some
gray mixed with the various browns and
tans.
The eye. rather than ears or cotton
tail, is the striking feature of this crea-
lures makeup.
The color is an extremely dark brown,
in certain lights almost black. 1t is not
round, but appears to be somewhat
oblong, and quite protruding.
There is little doubt that this type of
rabbit can look in all directions at once.
But its distinguishing trait is seeming
lack OF fear, and easy movements. even
when RUNNING away.
Our friend in the next block never
scampers. in story book bunny fashion.
He just hops away not in any alarmed
way, but solely as if he had finished his
inspection, and now would go on about
his great business of filling himself with
food.
There is pair of these down in our
yard, along with several little ones.
Sometimes in the evening" just at dusk.
we see the family out playing. The little
ones scamper around as if on wings. Thev
come darting out to the ground beneath
the bird feeder. from whence the birds
have departed, but it is problematical
whether they get anything to eat.
The rabbit feeder is a rough trough
OF wood with roof over it. 1t is filled
with mixed rabbit food, largely composed
of alfalfa. once day, and usually is
empty in the morning. 1t is pleasant to
think the rabbit family comes out to eat
these moonlight nights
The little ones remind an observer of
mechanical toys, so speedily do they
Scamper over the ground. 1t is this speed
which saves them from the cats, dogs and
other natural enemies. No doubt a large
owl would find one of these a tasty
mOrSel
The problem of survival for such wild
things must be large one, even in the
fields. and here amid homes and gardens
it must be increased. Yet cultivated
shrub paintings offer refuge and speedy
cOncealment. with difficulty of pursuit by
larger animals.
Those large eyes. those strong limbs,
constitute the sole means of defense
of the rabbit, wild or tame. 1t is upon
these it must depend for such safety as
it attains. Looking at them. the human
spectator is brought close to the real
iZation of the survival of the fitteSt
Good and bad fortune play great part,
too. Many a perfectly fit rabbit is
caught. Yet these fellows of the wild
have chance, which is more than can
be said of those raised for meat and fur.
We know not how it is. but the sight
of a wild rabbit excites the compassion
of many persons. They stand firm in the