4 
MAMMALS OF MINNESOTA. 243 
sound, thus giving the alarm to the does much as the beaver 
does with its tail. 
The hare when close-pressed will take to water, concealing 
itself in the herbage with only the nose exposed; it also swims 
readily. Frequently these animals become a great pest, as 
they peel and so destroy the young fruit-trees. This may be 
in a measure prevented by painting the bark with tobacco de- 
coction or other distasteful substance. The young of the hare 
are able to see at birth. The leverets are suckled about three 
weeks, while the natural life-time is perhaps ten years. 
Famity HYSTRICID &. 

Fig. 18, Sphingurus villosus WATERHOUSE, S. Amer. ’ 
