268 Mr. Thompson on the Irish Hare. 



Within one week, in the month of October, 1829, I had the opportunity of 

 observing the three species of British hare in their native haunts : the Lepus 

 Hibernicus about Belfast ; the Lepus tiinidus, towards the base of the higher 

 Grampians at Glenlyon, in the north-west of Perthshire ; and the Lepus varia- 

 bilis, about the summits of the same noble mountains. Of the Alpine hare, 

 some individuals which were killed in the last week of this month, had not in 

 any degree changed the colour of their dark summer fur, whilst at the same 

 time others were almost entirely white.* The motion and general appearance 

 of these animals when not much alarmed, their place of refuge being at hand, 

 seemed intermediate between those of the common hare and rabbit ; but when 

 they had wandered from the summits of the mountains, where no sheltering 

 crevices of rocks were nigh, and their strength was put forth by the pursuit of 

 the shepherds' dogs, they exhibited very considerable speed. 



The Lepus Hibernicus is in a wild state easily distinguished from the Lepus 

 timidus, by its shorter ears, differently coloured fur, and by the whiteness of the 

 upper surface of its tail. This last-named distinction can rarely be observed 

 except in parks where the animals are preserved, and where admitting of a 

 near approach, they move gently off; but in such places the difference is very 

 obvious. 



Some sporting friends, who from coursing much, both in Ireland and Scot- 

 land, have had ample opportunities of observing the difference between the two 

 species before greyhounds, consider that in an open country the Irish hare goes 

 off faster from the dogs than the Scotch, and is thus less likely to be killed at 

 at the first dash : in other respects their speed is equal. This was remarked 

 in similar ground in both countries, and with the same greyhounds. It has 

 likewise been stated by these gentlemen, that when wounded by the gun, 

 the Scotch is more easily captured than the Irish species. It is probable that 

 under both circumstances the difference may be owing to the hare in the Irish 

 counties in which my friends sport, being more persecuted, and consequently 

 more on the alert against her enemies, and I speak from personal knowledge of 

 both countries. 



* Although I am well aware that there is often a considerable difference in the period at which 

 individuals of the same species put on such a change, yet I would suggest to the attention of persons 

 who have the means of investigation, to ascertain whether the Alpine hare be white in winter from 

 the first year of its existence. 



