The terrestrial mammals and birds of North-East Greenland. 35 



the 30*h died on May the 28^^ while I was absent; the death was 

 according to Dr. Lindhard's opinion — a result of that moisture, 

 which a several days' snow-storm caused in its place of residence. 

 The animal contained 6 rather developed embryos. 



Leverets of the size of rats were seen by Lundager on June the 26'*^ 

 at "Snenæs"; he said, that the colour was bluish grey. July the 

 12'^^ & 13**^ I shot two hares respectively at "Thermometerfjeldet" and 

 "Harefjeldet", both the animals had still plenty of milk in their teats. 



As before indicated the moulting already begins in April and 

 is continued during part of July. 



The alpine hare appears in this month as well as in the last 

 half part of June in a most deranged hairy coat, because the rests 

 of the old long winter hairs are sitting in scattered tufts on the 

 body; this is now covered with short new hairs. The hare, which 

 in the winter coat is chubby and pretty well shaped, can scarcely 

 be recognized now. 



Tendency to change of colour can in this period plainly be 

 noticed on the front side of the head and ears, on which the yellow 

 grey or bluish grey short hairs have taken the place of the long 

 white hairs of the winter coat. 



Dark hairs also emerge among the white on the back, but here 

 they are more sparse. 



B. Thostrup observed at "Sælsøen" on June, the 9*^ 1908 a 

 hare, the right ear of which was black (dark?) on the front, while 

 the left ear was of the usual white colour. 



Both the old and the young hares appeared at the end of Au- 

 gust in full winter coat. It is well known that this is snow-white 

 with exception of the tips of the ears, which always are of dark 

 colour, blue or dark-grey. 



The young hares were still of a remarkably smaller size than 

 the old ones; their weight was only 6 to 7 pounds (Danish) while 

 the average weight of the full-grown was a little more than 8 

 pounds. 



Any difference in size and exterior between the two sexes can 

 scarcely be pointed out. Yet I think, that the nose region of the 

 male is broader and bigger than that of the female. 



On account of its chubby exterior the alpine hare looks in 

 winter time a good deal larger than the European hare. 



In N. E. Greenland the full-grown alpine hares have according 

 to my experience but few enemies to fear. (See: Canis lagopus, Canis 

 lupus & Nyctea nivea). 



Though I am without personal experience in this direction, I 

 feel sure, that the young ones of the hare are strongly persecuted 



3* 



