S74 On the Northern Hare, 



ders by night in many directions in search of its appropriate food, 

 we have scarcely ever seen its tracks in the open fiekls ; it seems, 

 cautiously to avoid the cabbage and turnip fields of the farmer, 

 and seldom even in the most retired places makes an encroach- 

 ment on his cultivated grounds. 



The food of this species in summer consists of various kinds of 

 juicy and tender grasses, and the bark, leaves, and buds, of several 

 small shrubs ; and these hares seem to be particularly fond of 

 the young twigs of the wild allspice, (Laurus benzoin,) but in 

 winter, when the earth is covered with snow, they gain a preca- 

 rious subsistence from the buds and bark of such trees as are 

 suited to their taste. Sometimes they scratch up the snow to 

 feed on the leaves and berries of the various species of Pi/rola 

 found in the Northern States. The bark of the willow, birch, and 

 poplar, and the buds of young pines, are sought after by them 

 with avidity. We have seen persons in the northern part of the 

 State of New York, who were desirous of shooting these animals 

 by moonlight, watching near American black-poplar trees, 

 [Populus Hudsojiica,) which they had cut down for the purpose 

 Df attracting them to feed on their buds and tender twigs, in 

 which they were often successful. Some of these hares which 

 we had in a domesticated state, were fed on cabbage leaves, tur- 

 nips, parsnips, potatoes, and sweet apples. During one very cold 

 winter, when these could not be conveniently obtained, they were 

 frequently supplied with clover-hay, to which, when more agree- 

 able food was not given them, they did not evince any aversion ; 

 from time to time also, outer branches of willow, poplar, or apple 

 trees, were thrown into their enclosure, the bark of which seemed 

 to be greatly relished by them. 



The northern hare, like most othei'^ of the g-enus, seeks its 

 food only by night or in the early part of the evening. To this 

 habit it is more exclusively confined during autumn and winter 

 than in spring and summer. In the latter seasons, especially in 

 spring, these animals are frequently observed in the morning, 

 and as the sun is declining, in the afternoon, cautiously proceeding 

 along some solitary by-path of the forest. Two or three may 

 often be seen associated together, appearing full of activity and 

 playfulness. When disturbed on these occasions, they stamp on 

 the ground, making a noise so loud that it can be heard at some 

 distance, then hopping a few yards into the thicket, they sit with 

 ears erect, seemingly listening, to ascertain whether they are pur- 



