CLASS MAMMALIA. 



187 



FIG. 310. 





The Hares are distinguished by two small teeth be- 

 hind the chisel-like upper incisors. Flight being their 

 chief means of protection, their ears are peculiarly 

 adapted to catch the faintest rustle, and their eyes to 

 glance easily in eve'ry direction. When alarmed, they 

 stamp with their feet, as if to give notice of danger ; 

 and, with seeming consciousness of their mimicry, often 

 merely squat behind a clod, and, suffering their pursuers 

 to run over them, quickly start 

 off in a contrary course. They 

 generally lie concealed during the 

 day, and venture forth only at 

 night, seeking their food of grass, 

 roots, and tender buds. There 

 are several geographical varieties 

 in the United States. 



The Nortl/crn Hare has in 

 summer a tint of reddish-brown 

 and in winter an impure white. It never burrows, but 

 makes a "form" of grass, etc., in which it crouches, and 

 trusts to its mimicry for concealment. It is a timid 

 creature, loving the recesses of the thickest woods. It 



runs with great speed, and has 

 been known to clear over twenty 

 feet at a single bound. It is 

 very fierce, however, and when 

 overtaken will scratch and bite 

 severely. The (rrn/i Ittihliil does 

 not change its t'ur in the winter 

 to so decided a white as the Northern Hare, or White 

 Rabbit, as il is often called. Though making burrows 



L( pus a )(/ i en n </x. 

 Northern Hare. ( -, 1 , . i 



FIG 330. 



Le'pus 8ijlv-~'t"tt:>is. (irav Rabbit.* 



* This animal, tin.- smallest of the hares, is misnamed in this country, as 

 there is no rabbit indigenous to America. 



