224 LEPORID.E. 



Hares are found thinly scattered over all the world, except in Australia, 

 but are most abundant in the northern temperate zone. 



The habits of hares are well known ; their timidity, watchfulness, in- 

 creased by the situation of their eyes, which are so placed that they can 

 see all round, and their great speed. In some, as in hares, the young 

 are born with their eyes open ; in the rabbits with their eyes closed. 

 There are two well-marked species of hare in India, and a third of a 

 peculiar type. ,' 



207. Lepus ruficaudatus. 



GEOFFROY. BLYTH, Cat. p. 131. L. indicus and macrons, HODGSON. 

 Khargosh, H. Kharra in Central India and part of Bengal. Sasru, 

 also in Bengal. Lamma, Hindi of some Molol, of Gonds. 



THE COMMON INDIAN HARE. 



Descr. General hue rufescent, mixed with blackish on the back and 

 head ; ears brownish anteriorly, white at the base and the tip brown j 

 neck, breast, flanks, and limbs more or less dark sandy-rufescent, un- 

 mottled ; nape pale sandy-rufescent ; tail rufous above, white beneath ; 

 upper lip, small eye-mark, chin, throat, and lower parts, pure white. 



Length of one, head and body 20 inches; tail with hair 4 ; ear ex- 

 ternally nearly 5 ; breadth of ear when expanded 2|. Weight rarely 

 exceeds 5 Ib. 



This hare is found from the foot of the Himalayas southwards to the 

 Godavery river on the east, and on the west as far south as the Taptee 

 river at all events, perhaps further. It extends from the Punjab to 

 Assam. It is stated by the Rev. H. Baker also to occur in South 

 Malabar along with the next species, but no specimens appear to have 

 been sent, and I rather doubt its occurrence there. It is also supposed 

 to extend into Afghanistan, the skull of a hare from Kandahar being 

 very similar to that of our hare ; perhaps, however, Mr. Blyth suggests, 

 that of a nearly allied species. 



Hares are very abundant in parts of the North-west Provinces, and 

 excellent coursing is had near Delhi, and especially in Humana. They 

 are less common in the Punjab. 



Both this and the next species take to earth readily when pursued, and 

 appear to be well acquainted with all the fox-holes in their neighbourhood. 



