Il8 ANIMAL LIFE OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



a predominance of the strong hairs of medium length described 

 under Rabbit. The shoulders, neck, and flanks are of a ruddier 

 hue than the back, and a ruddy band crosses the loins. The 

 sides of the face, and the outer surfaces of the limbs, incline to 

 a yellow tint. The underside is pure white except at the breast 

 and loins where the ruddy tint is continued from above. There 

 is a profusion of black and white whiskers, of which the white 

 are the longer and as much as three and a half inches in length. 

 The tail, which is carried curved up over the back or straight 

 behind, is black above and white on the sides and below. The 



Skeleton and Teeth, of Brown Hare. 



large, prominent eyes have a horizontal pupil. As it is almost 

 impossible to come upon a Hare asleep, it was formerly believed 

 that they have no eyelids and are compelled, therefore, to sleep 

 with their eyes open. This, of course, was an " inexactitude " 

 comparable to the belief in the Mole's lack of eyes and ears. 

 The prominence of the dark eyes of the Hare, and their situa- 

 tion well to the sides of the head give him a wide field of vision. 

 As regards sexual distinctions, the Jack-Hare has a smaller 

 body, shorter head and redder shoulders than the Doe. 



The Hare is not a burrowing animal, and does not seek 

 refuge underground from his enemies, unless hard pressed, 



