The Devoted Doe
It is not often perhaps that any of us regret the death of a wild rabbit ; and of late the agricultural economists have united to urge the ideal of a rabbit-less countryside. Yet the rabbit can be a very engaging creature ; and there is no animal in the list that has the craft of motherhood in higher power than the doe rabbit. At the edge of a garden near mine the other day a rabbit was shot with the usual ruthless- ness; but a certain qualm was felt perhaps when it was found to be carrying a large mouthful of soft hay for the prospective nursery. A rabbit's nest is always snug and warm ; and like some of the duck, the doe is ready to use her own soft covering to nest the young. The mice on the whole are more apt to make good nests for themselves in winter than for their young in spring ; but some, including the water vole, do both, and carry for their house furnishing a great variety of material.
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