128 



NATURAL HISTORY 



which sometimes perhaps may rove so far to the south- 

 ward. 



It pleases me to find that white hares are so frequent 

 on the Scottish mountains, and especially as you inform 

 me that it is a distinct species ; for the quadrupeds of 

 Britain are so few, that every new species is a great 

 acquisition l . 



The eagle-owl, could it be proved to belong to us, is 



THE EAGLE OWL. 



1 It has lately been ascertained that Ireland has also its peculiar hare, 

 which is apt to become white in winter when kept in parks or other 

 enclosures. Specimens of this animal have been repeatedly exhibited in 

 the Zoological Society's Gardens ; where its different appearance from 

 that of the English hare has often induced visitors to remark on it as a 

 " curious rabbit." Its head, as pointed out by Mr. Yarrell at a Meeting 

 of the Society in 1833, is shorter and more rounded than that of the 

 common hare; its ears are proportionally, as well as absolutely, shorter, 

 not equalling the head in length ; and its limbs are less lengthened. Its 



