THE RABBIT OR CONY 195 



the tip of the nose, and thus differ markedly from those of the Brown 

 Hare, but are relatively as long as in the varying hares. 



The arrangement of the fur, which is very soft, especially on the 

 head, resembles that of the hares (see above, p. 152). In healthy animals 

 in good coat, the underfur does not take part in contributing to the 

 general colour, being completely covered by the thick coat of long 

 middle hairs. The extra long dusky hairs are comparatively scarce. 



The general colour of the upper surface is a grizzled mixture of 

 dusky and buffish tints, slightly darker in some individuals (particularly 

 males), especially near the centre of the back. The nape is clothed 

 with deep " ochraceous buff" underfur, without longer hairs. The 

 limbs are, as a rule, ruddier than the back, but the rump is frequently 

 greyer, especially in winter. The colour passes with moderate abrupt- 

 ness into the white of the inner surface of the limbs and of the under 

 side, which white is interrupted only by a grizzled band passing across 

 the lower throat and chest, and by another across the inguinal region. 

 The ears are slightly rimmed with black posteriorly; they are variably 

 furred, according to season, on the anterior outer side to about the 

 point where they are longitudinally folded ; on the remainder of the 

 outer surface, and on the inner margins, they are clothed with fine, short 

 fur, but the median interior surface is hairless. The upper side of the 

 tail is black, slightly grizzled ; its lower side is white. The soles of 

 the feet are dirty yellowish or whitish. 



Examined closely, the hairs of the underfur of the back are 

 dusky, with the tips near " russet " ; on the belly they are white with 

 dusky bases, passing from one type to the other by insensible grada- 

 tions. The annulated hairs on the back are dusky with a light base, 

 and a subterminal band of light buff; the dusky band next to the base 

 is usually the broadest, and that forming the tip the narrowest. Many 

 intermediate gradations occur between the ringed hairs of the back and 

 the white hairs of the belly. According to Hurst {Linnean Sods Journ. 

 Zool., xxix., 1905, 299, etc.), there are in the hairs two, possibly three 

 pigments, viz., yellow and black certainly, and also, probably, brown or 

 chocolate, the latter apparently in close association with the black. 



The winter fur is much thicker, especially on the rump, than that of 

 summer ; and the white area of the under side spreads upwards to a 

 distinct, but variable, extent on the rump and hind legs. The flanks, 

 cheeks, and regions surrounding the eyes may also be grey. The 

 whitening seems to be accentuated in Orkney, where specimens inhabit- 

 ing the hills are said to be " hoary in winter " (Barry, History of the 

 Orkney Islands, 1805, 316). 



An important moult takes place in autumn. This may be observed 

 in individuals in Co. Wexford early in September, but is probably not 

 general until the first frosts, after which rabbits are in heavier and 



