MAMMALS OF MINNESOTA. 



243 



sound, thus giving the alarm to the does much as the beaver 

 does with its tail. 



The hare when close-pressed will take to water, concealing 

 itself in the herbage with only the nose exposed; it also swims 

 readily. Frequently these animals become a great pest, as 

 they peel and so destroy the young fruit-trees. This may be 

 in a measure prevented by painting the bark with tobacco de- 

 coction or other distasteful substance. The young of the hare 

 are able to see at birth. The leverets are suckled about three 

 weeks, while the natural life-time is perhaps ten years. 



FAMILY HYSTRICIDJE- 



Fig. 18, Spfcin0Mru8 mlloxw WATERHOUSE, S. Amer. 



