RODENTIA LEPORIDAE LEPUS TROWBRIDGII. Gil 



similar, but the shades are paler and the basal lead color more extended. Beneath, the hairs 

 are principally lead color, but pass gradually into ash gray. The tail is dark brown with ashy 

 and rusty tips to some of the hairs ; the under surface at the base is white, very little con 

 spicuous. 



Another specimen (311) from the same locality is smaller and the colors purer. The rufous 

 on the back of the neck is paler and there is less on the hind legs. The sub terminal dark bar 

 on the back is very dark brown, separated from the basal lead color by a faint, rusty tint. On 

 the sides this bar is lighter, and that separating it from the lead color is broader and more 

 distinct. The ears are similar, with a rather duskier margin anteriorly. 



In a third specimen (312,) from the same locality, still smaller, the back of the neck is still 

 paler, being, in fact, almost grayish in the middle. The basal lead color of the hairs on the 

 back is still more extended and the throat more rusty. The belly is rather more silvery. 



The three specimens of this very curious little species were collected somewhere on the coast 

 of California, by Lieutenant W. P. Trowbridge. They come from Monterey or San Francisco, 

 immediately on the coast. The lead color or ashy gray of the belly is quite peculiar among 

 American rabbits, not having been observed in any other species. The very short hind feet are 

 also peculiar. In these characters it is readily distinguished from others of the same size. Its 

 closest alliance is to L. auduboni, as described in this report ; from this it is distinguished by 

 the shorter and uncolored ears, very short tail, shorter hind feet ; less black in the dark 

 markings, the fur on the back passing from lead color through pale rusty to brown, &c. 



A large additional series of specimens received since the preceding description was prepared, 

 verify the claims of this species and enable me to extend somewhat the account of it. The most 

 perfect of these (from Santa Clara, California, 1183,) is rather darker on the back ; the band on 

 the throat is very broad and is entirely destitute of any rufous tinge, the color being like the 

 sides, or a yellowish brown gray lined with black. 



In winter the fur appears a good deal longer, and the preponderance of black is so great 

 as almost to impart this hue to the back. 



There seems to be a good deal of difference in the length of the ears, although these always 

 maintain the character by which they are distinguished from L. auduboni, the species with 

 which they are associated, namely, the absence of any black edging to the tip of the ear. The 

 feet and tail are always much shorter, and the under parts much less pure white. 



