280 IRISH HARE. 



species. The form and proportions are in general 

 similar to those of the Common Hare, but the head 

 is somewhat shorter, as are the limbs, although I do 

 not find that the hind legs are proportionally less 

 elongated, as has been represented. The head is 

 convex above, broad and rounded in front, the ears 

 about a fourth shorter than the head ; the hind feet 

 with four, the fore feet with five toes ; the claws 

 long, slightly arched, compressed, those of the hind 

 feet stronger. The mystachial bristles are as in the 

 Common Hare, but much shorter, and not undu- 

 lated. The fur is not as represented by authors, 

 out in all essential respects similar to that of the 

 Common Hare; although the long hairs are less 

 strong and curved. They are grey at the base, then 

 black, with a yellowish-red space towards the end, 

 the tip black. Intermixed are scattered longer hairs, 

 which are entirely black. The woolly hairs or un- 

 der-fur are grey at the base, light red at the end. 

 The ears are externally reddish on their inner half, 

 greyish- white on the outer, the tip black, their in- 

 side reddish on the outer edge, the tip black. All 

 the upper parts are light brownish-red ; the throat 

 greyish-white, the fore part of the neck dull grey- 

 ish-red ; the lower parts, the inside of the legs, and 

 the greater part of the hind feet, white, the claws 

 greyish-yellow. 



