264 FIELD MUSEUM or NATURAL HISTORY ZOOLOGY, VOL. XI. 



The Varying Hare, or Snow-shoe Rabbit as it is often called, is 

 common in northern Wisconsin, its range being restricted to about 

 the northern half of the state. There are specimens in this Museum 

 from Douglas and Vilas counties and I have seen others from Barren, 

 Langlade and Iron counties. Nelson records it from Bayneld and 

 Douglas counties, and Jackson gives it as abundant in Ashland, Bay- 

 field and Douglas counties (L c., 1910, p. 88). Notwithstanding 

 the fact that I have made numerous inquiries of a number of hunters 

 in various parts of southern Wisconsin, I have failed to learn of its 

 occurrence in that portion of the state. In early days, however, its 

 range may have extended farther south, as Kennicott states it was 

 "not uncommon in central and northern Wisconsin and considerable 

 numbers are found in the southern part of the state." He also says: 

 "It has been stated that a number were shot on the present site of the 

 City of Chicago in the winter of 1824" (1. c., p. 85). 



The Varying Hare prefers a wooded country where there are numer- 

 ous thickets of dense undergrowth. In winter, when the ground is 

 frozen, it seems to be more numerous in swamps where there is a heavy 

 growth of timber. While it may occasionally be seen in the daytime, 

 it feeds chiefly at night and, unlike the Cotton-tail, this species does 

 not seek shelter in holes in the ground. The nest is a mass of grass 

 covered with soft fur supplied by the mother. It is usually well con- 

 cealed under a bush or in a thick growth of weeds, and on one occasion 



1 found one in the base of a hollow tree. The young are generally 



2 to 4 in number, rarely 5 or 6, and are covered with hair when born, 

 and the eyes are open. 



The food of the Varying Hare consists largely of grasses, clovers 

 and leaves of various shrubs; they also eat the bark of young trees. In 

 settled districts they eat the bark of fruit trees and grape vines and 

 often do considerable damage to garden crops. 



The skins of these animals are of comparatively little commercial 

 value, as they are tender and easily torn, but they are made into ex- 

 ceedingly warm blankets and robes by the Indians, who cut the skins 

 into strips which they braid and fasten together. Such blankets are 

 much sought after by hunters and prospectors in the far North. 



Specimens examined from Wisconsin: 



Woodruff, Vilas Co., 2; Sayner, Vilas Co., 2; Solon Springs, Douglas 

 Co., 8; Lac Vieux Desert, Vilas Co., i; (M. P. M.) Eagle. River, 

 Vilas Co., i; (O. C.) St. Croix River, Douglas Co., i; Turtle Lake, 

 Barron Co. (skulls), 5; Mercer, Iron Co. (skull), i; Fisher Lake, 

 Iron Co., 2 (i skull); Langlade Co. (skulls), 5=29. 



