THE AMERICAN HARE, 193 



marten, the weasel, the fox, the cat owl, the hawk, and 

 many other animals and birds, to say nothing of man. 

 The roots of the hair seem to preserve the same dark 

 brownish colour all the year round; at the approach of 

 winter the fur grows much longer, and the tips first as- 

 sume a light grey or dun colour, changing as the snow 

 comes on to pure white. Early in April (with the 

 departure of snow) they commence to cast their winter 

 suit, and by the 1st of June all traces of white have dis- 

 appeared, and they are clad in their new short brown 

 summer coat. At this season of the year they are much 

 troubled by fleas. 



In winter they form yards like the moose and the 

 deer. After a heavy fall of snow, the yard is very 

 small, not more than 15 or 20 yards in circumference. 

 Gradually they enlarge the circle, making numerous little 

 paths in all directions through it in search of browse, 

 until the next fall of snow comes, when they contract 

 their yard again. In the very deep snow they are often 

 hard up for browse and have to take to spruce, which 

 gives their flesh a strong flavour of turpentine. At this 

 season I have caught them in sable traps, set considerably 

 above the surface of the snow, and baited with cariboo or 

 fish. They are an unmitigated nuisance to the loup- 

 cervier hunter, as they unconsciously save the life of their 

 greatest enemy by gnawing the twine snares that have 

 been set for him. On one occasion a rabbit entered 

 through a hole in my camp on a cold winter's night and 

 singed his jacket at the fire. When hurt, they scream 

 like an English rabbit, only much louder. On another 

 occasion I shot a jet-black rabbit in mid- winter, that is to 



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