312 



MONOGRAPHS OF NORTH AMERICAN ROD I •: N 'IT A . 



labels the collector has written "Length 1!) in." The length of the ears and 

 hind feel fully equal the dimensions of these parts in the largest specimens 

 <it' var. virginianus, and indicate var. bairdi as perhaps the largest form of 

 the group. The cars also appear relatively longer than in any other form. 

 The skulls of which measurements arc given are limited to two specimens, 

 bull) immature, they still retaining the last temporary molar.* 



This variety appears to be strictly an alpine form, inhabiting the snowy 

 summits of the higher portions of the Rocky Mountains. The specimens in 

 summer pelage are, with one exception, all from the Wind River Mountains 

 and other ranges near the head of the Yellowstone River, one being from the 

 mountains of Colorado. Others, in winter pelage, are from the mountains 

 west of Fort Benton, and from the Bitter Root Mountains near Fort Bridger, 

 one also coming from as far south as Cantonment Burgwyn, New Mexico. 

 I was informed by hunters and mountaineers, while west in 1871, of the 

 occurrence of a white hare with very large broad feet in the Snowy Range of 

 Colorado, in the Medicine Bow Mountains of Wyoming Territory, and in tire 

 Wasatch Mountains of Utah, which I doubt not is referable to this variety. 

 The hunters spoke of it as being peculiar to the snowy region, and as very 

 different from the white Hare of the plains (Lepus campestris), or from any 

 other species with which they were acquainted, in the great breadth of its 

 heavily-furred feet. 



Table XV. — Measurements of Lkfus amkricanus rac americands. 



Si reral other skulls came to hand later, but I tiud that, thiotigU inadvertonce, no measurements 

 of them were taken before they again passed mil of my hands. 



