3. Study the limbs, and find the ankle and wrist. Does the rabbit
walk on its foot or its toes? Note the number and character of the
toes and fingers and their claws. What is the effect of the
nonretractile power of the claws upon the uses to which claws can be
put?
4. What uses have the fore or the hind limbs other than locomotion?
Explain how the usual sitting or resting posture is advantageous for
quick locomotion.
5. By means of printer's or writing ink smeared over the soles of the
feet, and a long piece of clean white paper get prints of a rabbit's
tracks as it hops over the paper. Explain how the peculiar formation
of the tracks occurs.
_Feeding._
6. Offer a rabbit various kinds of food. How does it test the food
before eating? Does the rabbit ever use its forelimbs to assist in
feeding? If so, when and how? How is the food eaten? How are the
teeth fitted for the rabbit's method of feeding? Does your rabbit
drink? If so, how?
_Respiration._
7. What movements of the body are concerned in breathing?
8. Compare the frequency of the breathing movements with your own.
Can you distinguish the heart beats? If so, how and where? Count
them.
_Sense Organs._
9. Note the position of the eyes, shape of their surface, shape and
size of the pupil. What external protecting structures are
present,--such as eyelids, eyelashes, eyebrows? Study the movements
of the eyelids. Is there a third eyelid as in the bird? Compare the
use of the neck in enlarging the range of vision with that of the
bird. Is the rabbit's range of vision greater or less than your own?
10. What is the location of the nostrils? What advantages are gained
by the prolongation of the face forward? Note any peculiarity in the
form or movement of the nostrils. How do you explain these movements?
Are the nostrils more or less useful than those of other vertebrates
you have studied? How?
11. Note the shape, size, and position of the external ears and
explain what relation, if any, these characters of the ears have to
hearing. Note the various movements of the ears and the reasons for
these movements.
12. What special organs for touch has the rabbit? Under what
circumstances are these of use? What parts of the body are most
sensitive to touch?
_Protection._
13. What home-making habits do you observe in the rabbit? What habits
relating to secrecy, comfort, and safety, do you observe?
14. Study the fur and hair of the rabbit. How do you distinguish
between fur and hair? What variations do you find in the fur and
hair? What parts of the body are uncovered? Why? What are the various
functions of the fur and hair covering of rabbit?
15. Have rabbits any means of defense or offense? Explain.
_Social Habits._
16. Notice and describe anything in the behavior of the rabbits which
may be classed as social,--such as play, fondness for company,
display of affection, homing instincts, care of young, etc.
Supplementary Study of Wild Rabbits
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