LEPUS NIGRICOLLIS. 225 







208. Lepus nigricollis. 



F. CUVIER. BLYTII, Cat. p. 132. ELLIOT, Cat. 46. L. inelanauchen, 

 TEmiiNc-K..I{hargosh, H. Media, Can. Sassa, Mahr. Musal, Tarn. 

 Kundeli, Tel. 



THE BLACK-NAPED HARE. 



Descr. Upper part grayish-rufescent, slightly mottled with black j 

 large nuchal spot extending to near the shoulders velvety black ; ears 

 grayish-brown internally, dusky posteriorly, black at the base, and white- 

 fringed at the apex ; lower neck yellowish j chin and abdomen white j tail 

 grizzled black and yellowish-gray above, white beneath. 



Length of one, head and body 19 inches ; tail 2^ ; ear 4|. 



The black-naped hare is found throughout the South of India, extend- 

 ing north to the Godavery river on the east, and on the west coast as 

 high as the Taptee river, and perhaps further, for Adams states it to be 

 found in Sindh, and parts of the Punjab ; but this much requires confirma- 

 tion. It is the hare of Ceylon also, and has been introduced into Java 

 and the Mauritius. It is very abundant in many parts of the Madras 

 Presidency, more especially on the east coast and in parts of the Deccan. 



Lepus peguensis, Blyth, is found in Upper Burmah, and L. sinensis in 

 China. 



Lepus pallipes, Hodgson, J. A. S. XI. 288, with plate (L. tolai, 

 Pallas, apud Gray), is found in Tibet, along with L. tibetanus,Wsiteic- 

 house (L. oistolus, Hodgson), if indeed they be distinct. The latter is 

 described as pale fawn above, whitish below and on the limbs ; the croup 

 grayish-blue, and the tail white. They are both represented as frequent- 

 ing rocky places, and running from rock to rock. It is possible that a 

 few individuals may occasionally cross to the Indian side of the passes, 

 but I have not observed them myself on this side. The Bhotia name is 

 Ribong, or hill-ass. 



The next species differs somewhat in general appearance and structure, 

 and was formerly separated generically by Blyth, and I think with justice ; 

 but he has in his Catalogue merely marked it as a section. The charaters 

 of the sub-genus, Caprolagus are, large head, small eyes, short ears, 

 small and subequal limbs, strong, straight, and sharp claws, harsh hair 

 and inconspicuous whiskers. The skull is very strong, and the incisors 

 larger comparatively than in the common hare. 



Q 



