HARE KIND. 157 



them lies on its back, permits the hay to be heap- 

 ed upon its belly, keeps its paws upright to make 

 greater room ; and in this manner, lying still 

 upon its back, it is dragged by the tail, hay and 

 all, to their common retreat. This also some 

 give as a reason for the hair being generally worn 

 away on their backs, as is usually the case ; how- 

 ever, a better reason for this may be assigned, 

 from their continually rooting up holes, and pass- 

 ing through narrow openings. But, be this as 

 it will, certain it is that they all live together, and 

 work in common, to make their habitation as 

 snug and convenient as possible. In it they pass 

 three parts of their lives ; into it they retire when 

 the storm is high ; in it they continue while it 

 rains ; there they remain when apprehensive of 

 danger, and never stir out except in fine weather, 

 never going far from home even then. When- 

 ever they venture abroad, one is placed as a sen- 

 tinel, sitting upon a lofty rock, while the rest 

 amuse themselves in playing along the green 

 fields, or are employed in cutting grass and mak- 

 ing hay for their winter's convenience. Their 

 trusty sentinel, when an enemy, a man, a dog, 

 or a bird of prey approaches, apprizes its com- 

 panions with a whistle, upon which they all make 

 home, the sentinel himself bringing up the rear. 



But it must not be supposed that this hay is 

 designed for provision ; on the contrary, it is al- 

 ways found in as great plenty in their holes at 

 the end as at the beginning of winter ; it is only 

 sought for the convenience of their lodging, and 

 the advantages of their young. As to provision, 



