size as you, Peter, and looks very much like you. But his legs
are not quite so long, his ears are a little smaller, and his tail
is brownish instead of white. He is a poor runner and so in time
of danger he takes to the water. For that matter, he goes swimming
for pleasure. The water is warm down there, and he dearly loves
to paddle about in it. If a Fox chases him he simply plunges into
the water and hides among the water plants with only his eyes and
his nose out of water."

"Does he make his home in the water like Jerry Muskrat?" asked
Peter innocently.

Mother Nature smiled and shook her head. "Certainly not," she
replied. "His home is on the ground. His babies are born in a
nest made just as Mrs. Peter makes her nest for your babies, and
Mrs. Jumper makes a nest for Jumper's babies. It is made of grass
and lined with soft fur which Mrs. Rabbit pulls from her own
breast, and it is very carefully hidden. By the way, Peter how do
your babies differ from the babies of your Cousin Jumper?"

Peter shook his head. "I don't know," said he. "My babies don't
have their eyes open when they are born, and they haven't any hair."

Jumper pricked up his long ears. "What's that?" said he.
"Why, my babies have their eyes open and have the dearest little
fur coats!"

Old Mother Nature chuckled. "That is the difference," said she.
"I guess both of you have learned something."