Mr. Thompson on the Irish Hare. 27 1 



by the cart-load. This herding together is not the result of what might be 

 perhaps considered semi-domestication in the demesne or park, as in a perfectly- 

 free and wild state, when permitted to increase, they exhibit the same social and 

 gregarious habit.* 



• A sporting gentleman of my acquaintance, for seven or eight years kept a number of native 

 hares in a large yard in the town of Belfast, chiefly for the purpose of keeping up a sufficient supply 

 for his hunting ground, and in this he was from the first successful, as the females produced three 

 times in the year. The males, perhaps from an undue proportion relatively to the females, fought 

 so violently, that for the sake of peace, a few of them were emasculated, and in consequence grew 

 to an amazing size. The same gentleman kept one of these hares for several years fastened like a 

 dog, by a chain and collar. Those which had their liberty in the yard (which was extensive) never 

 became tame ; but when taken young, and pains are bestowed upon them, they exhibit considerable 

 docility, and have been taught to play tricks, such as to beat a drum, &c. 



VOL. XVIII. 2 o 



