114 



NATURAL HISTORY. 



Family III. Leporidse. (Lat. Lcpm, a Hare. Hare kind.) 





Timidus (Lat. timid), ike Hare, 



The HARE is one of our most common quadrupeds. It is 

 constantly hunted both for the sport and for its flesh. "When 

 hunted with greyhounds, the amusement is called coursing. 

 Beagles are also used, but they do not catch the Hare by speed, 

 but by patiently following its track, until the wearied animal is 

 no longer capable of escaping. It comes under the denomina- 

 tion of game, and is protected by the Game Laws, as are pheas- 

 ants and partridges. 



It is exceedingly like the rabbit, but its colour is slightly 

 different, and the black spot on the extremity of its ears is a 

 simple method of distinguishing it. The Hare does not burrow 

 like the rabbit, but makes a kind of nest of grass and other 

 materials. In this nest, called a " form," the Hare lies, and 

 trusting to its concealment will often remain quiet until the 

 foot of an intruder almost touches it. Many people can distin- 

 guish it by the sparkle of its eye. 



