16: 



SKETCH OF THE HISTORY OF MAMMALIA. 



tains in the hiffh northern regions of America, from lati- 

 tude 52° to 60°. 



The pikas are pretty little animals, with something of 

 the manners of our rabbits, and dwell in burrows, which 

 are artfully concealed. 



The dwarf pika, or calling-hare, measures little more 

 than six inches in total length. It has the head longer 

 than usual with hares, and thickly covered with fur, even 

 to the tip of the nose ; numerous hairs in the whiskers; 

 ears large and rounded ; legs very short ; soles furred 

 beneath ; its whole coat very soft, long, and smooth, 

 with a thick, long, fine down beneath, of a^brownish lead- 

 colour ; the hairs of the same colour, towards the ends 

 of a light gray, and tipped with black ; the lower part 

 of the body hoary ; the sides and ends of the fur yel- 

 lowish. Weight from three and a quarter to four and a 

 half ounces ; in winter scarcely two and a half ounces. 

 (Fig. 100.) 



The dwarf pika, or calling-hare, is found in the south- 

 east parts of Russia, and about the mountain ridge 



100.— Dwarf Pika. 



