Snowshoe-rabbit 627 



Here are the feet of a Snowshoe-hare (Fig. 174) that 

 weighed but 3 pounds, and here also the corresponding feet of 

 Its cousin the Kansas Jack-rabbit that weighs 6 pounds. The 

 latter is at the mercy of the hunter in deep, soft snow— the 

 other skims over it so lightly that none can follow far; it scoffs 

 at all pursuit, even as its thick, soft fur enables it to 'mock at 

 the raving storm. 



It is essentially an animal of thick cover, the thicker the e.wi- 

 better, provided there are some open spaces where It can enjoy ment 

 a sun-bath. Tamarac and cedar swamps. If not actually wet, 

 are much to Its taste. Open forests with nothing but big 

 timber make no appeal to it; but dry copses, varied with open 

 glades, and willow thickets so dense that the Fox, the Lynx, 

 and the Wolf have no chance in open chase, are the Ideal homes 

 of the Snowshoe-hare. 



RANGE 



Each Individual has of course its own little territory in home- 

 which Its life Is spent. How large then Is the home-ground ""'"^^ 

 of this free-footed ranger.? Marvellously small. It varies 

 In size somewhat with the kind of country, but In very thick, 

 brushy woods, I should think It is certainly not more 

 than 20 or 30 acres; In more open woods, perhaps twice as 

 much. Some individuals, I believe, will even pass their lives 

 within a radius of 200 yards, never venturing outside of 

 this, unless hard pressed by pursuit. The circle that a 

 White-hare makes when a hound Is on its trail is usually 

 around its home-range, and thus It shows the hunter exactly 

 where It dwells. 



On my own land I had a White-hare, brought from New 

 Hampshire, that spent all summer within a radius of 100 yards, 

 although free of 100 acres of thick woods. It was easily dis- 

 tinguished by Its having but one eye. I could count with 

 certainty on finding it on any morning. In one of three 

 'forms' or beds under the brush; in the evening it was 

 usually feeding in the open, not far off. I never saw It in other 

 parts of the woods, and all attempts to drive It elsewhere were 



