80 MAMMALS. 



The hare has also several peculiar habits which are not 



observed in its smaller relative. For instance, it has a 



Curious foolish trick of doubling back to its form, 



habits when or starting - place, when pursued, which does 



pursued. -^q^ avail it in the least when two greyhounds 



are after it, the one driving it into the jaws of its rival. 



Another instinct observed in the hare is that of escaping 

 uphill, a performance in which, especially for very short 

 distances, it is aided by the fact of the fore-legs being con- 

 siderably shorter than the others. This discrepancy may 

 possibly account for the curious sideling leaps, so familiar 

 to all who have watched the beast closely, yet so unlike 

 any other mode of progression except perhaps that of the 

 hare's enemy, the stoat. 



Although a good swimmer when put to it, this animal 

 rarely takes to the water save when no other way of escape 

 is possible, though Mr J. G. Millais records an instance.^ 



Its food consists of all manner of vegetables and grain, 



^ , and it is said to be partial to the bark of 

 Food. ^ 



young trees. 

 It is generally held that the common hare will not inter- 

 breed with either the Alpine species, which replaces it in 



^ ,. Ireland, as well as in some of the higher por- 

 xJreetlino'. ox 



tions and islands of Scotland, or the rabbit. 

 So far, however, as the former is concerned, this view is 

 rejected by a correspondent of Harvie-Brown.^ More than 

 one litter, each numbering four or five, is produced during 

 the summer. The advanced state in which the leverets are 

 born has already been alluded to. 



In addition to the characters incidentally given above, 

 the following may be noted : The ears are longer than the 



head ; the upper lip is cloven ; the claws are 

 ppearance, j^^^^ ^^^ curved ; there are long bristles over 



the eyes and mouth. In colour, greyish-brown 

 or reddish, with some black on the back and ears, white 

 beneath. Black hares have been recorded, also uniformly 

 1 British Deer and their Horns, p. 44. - Fauna of Argyll, p. 42. 



