622 Life-histories of Northern Animals 



and body were i6| Inches (419 mm.); the tail-bones, i| 

 inches (31 mm.). 



The hind-foot is about 5I inches (140 mm.). 



Two small males were each 2 pounds 4 ounces in weight. 



A medium-sized female shot at Carberry, Man., Novem- 

 ber 2, 1886, was lyf inches (447 mm.) in total length from 

 snout to tip of tail-bone; the head and body were 16 inches 

 long (406 mm.); the tail-bones iiv inches (36 mm.). 



The average weight of 7 females, taken at Carberry in 

 autumn, was 3 pounds if ounces; the heaviest was 3 pounds 

 8 ounces; the above female weighed exactly 3 pounds. 

 COLOUR In summer the typical Varying-hare about Hudson Bay 



is of a reddish-brown above, more or less peppered with black 

 tips to the hairs, especially on the back; becoming clear pale 

 sienna on the legs, and pure white below generally, as shown 

 in Plate XLII; the upper part of the tail is very dark gray, 

 almost black; the under part white; the ears are tipped with 

 black behind and bordered with white in front. 



In winter it is pure white with tinges of brown below the 

 surface, and with the black ear-tips unchanged. 



Dr. J. A. Allen has described the Minnesota Bush-rabbit 

 as a variety o{ Lepus americanus, giving it the sub-specific name 

 phcsonotus. 



It is distinguished by its paler and huffier colour. A 

 careful comparison of my specimens from Lake of the Woods, 

 Ingolf, and Carberry show that the Manitoba form, except 

 in Turtle Mountain, is the same as that from Minnesota. 



The following races then are recognized: 



• 

 americanus Erxl., the typical form. 

 phcBonotus Allen, paler and huffier than type, darker 



than columbiensis. 

 hishopi Allen, duller than americanus, with short, 



broad skull. 

 virginianus Harlan, largest and most richly coloured, 



a rusty brown form. 

 struthopus Bangs, size of americanus; ears, longer; 



colour like virginianus, but duller and browner. 



