60 Deane, Letters of J. J. Audubon and S. F. Baird. [j^ k 



collecting quadrupeds is to put them into your hands. I have 

 been thinking very seriously of going to Texas this winter for some 

 months, and possibly nothing but the want of money will prevent 

 me. An acquaintance is anxious for me to pay his uncle a visit, 

 who resides in summer on Galveston Bay, in winter about 100 

 miles along on Trinity River. I shall keep a sharp lookout for 

 quadrupeds if I go. Please present my best respects to your 

 family, and believe me as ever 



Yours Most Sincerely 



Spencer F. Baird. 



Memoranda of the Nat. Hist, of Lepus americanus, Erx. 



In cold weather found in Laural swamps. Never seen in large 

 open woods, nor in extensive clearings. In summer in bushy 

 places near clover patches, in the edges of which they have their 

 nests. Young from three to five, gray. Nest sometimes under 

 a log, made of leaves and some fur. Feed on clover in summer, 

 on bark of birch, beech, wild poplar, and striped maple. Change 

 in November, and April. Two very rarely seen together. Caught 

 in snows in great quantity, during winter, and sent to New York. 

 Worth from 8 to 10 cents in Susquehanna Co. Favorite time of 

 running is on moonlight nights. Never burrow. Run very 

 rapidly, leaping from 5 to 8 feet or even more when pursued, 

 more faster than Foxhound, but are caught by Grey-hounds. 

 Have favorite paths for crossing over roads, or from one patch of 

 woods to another. In winter they form a beaten track six or more 

 inches in the snow. When pursued by hounds they soon double 

 and come back to place from which they started. When chased 

 they will often mount up on a small knoll in woods, and listen and 

 watch for their pursuers. If whistled at when running, they will 

 stop for an instant. Preyed on by Wild Cats, Foxes, Weasels, 

 Hawks, Eagles, Owls &c. Foxes have been known to hunt 

 them in pairs, one chasing, the other watching near a crossing 

 place. Very abundant, 10 to 50 may be seen in a day. Common 

 rabbit very rare, their existence traditionary. 



