. A biological survey of Alabama. I. Physiography and life zones. II. The mammals. Animals Alabama. 72 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [No. 45 hillsides. They usually remain hidden most of the day in thick brush, but occasionally one may be seen sitting in an opening in the swamp, and if the observer remains quiet it will often wait a few seconds before running off, or rarely it will stop after running a few steps and look around. When pursued by dogs these rabbits make very fast time and usually have no difficulty in distancing the pack. When hard pressed, however, they are quite likely to take refuge
. A biological survey of Alabama. I. Physiography and life zones. II. The mammals. Animals Alabama. 72 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [No. 45 hillsides. They usually remain hidden most of the day in thick brush, but occasionally one may be seen sitting in an opening in the swamp, and if the observer remains quiet it will often wait a few seconds before running off, or rarely it will stop after running a few steps and look around. When pursued by dogs these rabbits make very fast time and usually have no difficulty in distancing the pack. When hard pressed, however, they are quite likely to take refuge in a hollow tree, up which they scramble for a distance of sev- eral feet. In such situations hunters often secure them by inserting in the hol- low a slender switch, which being twisted into the fur and gently pulled, usu- ally induces the rab- bit to come down far enough to be seized by hand or by a dog. When running from hounds they very frequently jump into a creek and swim across or some dis- tance up or down the stream. During pe- riods of high water these rabbits are often compelled to seek safety on the high ridges or small islands in the bot- toms, and at such times large numbers are sometimes killed by hunters with guns or clubs. Bachman states that this rabbit feeds on the roots of various aquatic plants, especially on a species of iris growing in water. The common name in use for this animal in many parts of the South— " cane-cutter"—indicates its fondness for the stems of the cane (Arundinaria), which grows in abundance in its favorite haunts. Where cultivated fields adjoin the swamps, swamp rabbits often for-. pcrrr sots vdauphini id. Fig. -Distribution of the New England cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus transitionalis) in Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not perfectly resemble the original
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