338 



LEPORID.E— LEPUS 



The habits of this species probably do not differ much from 

 those of the Scottish Hare. When accustomed to human 

 beings, it becomes anything but timid, and at my own home 

 there are few hours of the day or night when from one up to 

 (occasionally) a dozen may not be seen grazing within a 

 stone's throw of the house. Very often they will not take the 

 trouble to retire on the approach of a human being, and their 

 tracks show that in the night they wander quite close to the 

 house and even ascend the hall-door steps. Even if chased by 

 a small dog they will frequently sit bolt upright to reconnoitre 

 their pursuer. It is a pretty sight when a party of these 

 beautiful animals are feeding at close range in perfect 

 confidence, and in spring their movements are particularly 

 attractive. At that season they are unusually in evidence, 

 and go through many antics — boxing, kicking, bucking, 

 dodging, leaping sideways, sniffing at each other nose to 

 nose, or rushing madly round in a circle. Then after a general 

 scurry they settle down to feed, scraping away snow (if present) 

 with their paws ; or they may roll on their backs or stretch 

 themselves at full length on the ground. In March 1909 two 

 pursued a large domestic cat of colour somewhat resembling 



