582 



U. S. P. R. R. EXP. AND SURVEYS ZOOLOGY GENERAL REPORT. 



The skull of this species is actually shorter than that of L. cuniculus, the domestic Babbit ; 

 it is, however, wider and larger in the cerebral portion ; the muzzle much shorter and higher, 

 the nasals being shorter and considerably broader. The differences between the species are very 

 great. 



This species, in summer dress, is readily distinguished from L. campestris by its prevailing 

 tint of reddish brown, instead of gray, the black border on the posterior porfton of the con 

 vexity of the ear, &c. In winter, the fur in L. americanus is lead color on its basal half; in 

 L. campestris, pure white ; both have the median bar of reddish. In all seasons the tail and ears 

 are much shorter ; the internal surface of the ears less densely furred and not so pure white ; 

 the black in a narrow band on the posterior margin of the ear, instead of-a terminal patch at 

 the tip, &c. The size is every way less ; the difference particularly observable in the skulls. 



This hare is very abundant in the northeastern portions of the United States, and, according 

 to Richardson, reaches as far north as latitude 68. In the regions north of the Missouri plains 

 it is replaced by the L. campestris, and on the northwest coast by the L. washingtonii. South 

 ward it is common as far as the northern counties of Pennsylvania, and extends along the 

 Alleghany range into Virginia. It is not rare along the summit level of the Baltimore and 

 Ohio railroad. 



Owing to its habit of keeping in thick tangled swamps, especially cedar swamps, this species 

 is not so readily met with in localities even where it abounds as the small gray rabbit, L. 

 sylvaticus. 



The synonymy of this species has been somewhat confused, but has been very admirably dis 

 entangled by Dr. Bachman in the several articles quoted above. Some remarks on his reference 

 of Schreber's article on L. nanus will be found under the head of L. sylvaticus. 



List of specimens. 



