THE COTTONTAIL RABBIT 



A 5 can be easily seen from a comparison of 

 the life-size track picture of the varying 

 hare and cottontail drawn from tracks 

 made under the same tracking conditions, i. e., on 

 ground covered by about two inches of snow, and 

 while the animals were running at approximately 

 the same speed the tracks of the cottontail, be- 

 sides being much more slender than those of the 

 hare, are also more pencil-shaped at the point of 

 the toes. The toes are but faintly indicated, and 

 the toenails practically indiscernible, while in the 

 case of the hare both are plainly visible; in fact, 

 the imprint of the toenails is a prominent feature 

 in the track of the hare. In every case where any 

 doubt exists in regard to the tracks of the two 

 small varieties, this alone is sufficient to settle it; 

 as the toe marks are more prominent in the 

 front track, its appearance alone is sufficient for 

 the trailer to form a correct conclusion. Except 

 when jumping with the hind feet into the 



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