THE COMMON HARE 



1365 



Distribution 



With the exception of the north of Russia, the Scandinavian Penin- 

 sula, and Ireland, the common hare is found over the whole of Europe, 

 ranging as far eastward as the Caucasus; but in the north of Scotland the species is 

 confined to the low grounds and valleys. It may be mentioned here that this spe- 

 cies is commonly alluded to under the name of Lepus timidus; that name was, how- 

 ever, applied by the Swedish naturalist L,inne to the hares of his own country, and 



COMMON HARE. 



(One-sixth natural size.) 



therefore rightly belongs to the next species. In the more northern parts of its 

 habitat the hare tends to become white in winter; while the maximum of rufous in 

 its coloration occurs in the more southerly districts. 



The hare, like other members of the genus, is an exclusively vege- 

 table feeder, its food consisting of grass, corn, bark, etc. In culti- 

 vated districts hares often inflict much damage on growing wheat, and likewise on 

 garden vegetables; while the destruction these animals cause among young trees by 



Habits 



