IRISH HARE. 123 



fare in winter, and to grind up fir-cones in order to obtain the 

 seeds. 



Precise observation is still needed respecting the breeding 

 habits of the Alpine Hare, but they do not appear to differ 

 greatly from those of the Brown Hare, two or three litters being 

 produced in the year, and the leverets varying in number up to 

 eight. 



Irish Hare (Lepus hibemicus, Bell). 



The abundance of Hares in Ireland has been noticed in 

 literature for more than a thousand years, but it was not until 

 1833 that it was suggested that the Irish Hare was anything 

 more than a variation of the Brown Hare. Even so, until quite 

 recently it has been accepted by most of the high authorities as, 

 at best, a variety or sub-species of the Alpine Hare. It occurs 

 naturally all over Ireland, and is not found elsewhere except 

 where distinct attempts have been made to introduce it. Even 

 in places where this introduction has succeeded in establishing 

 colonies as in the Island of Mull, where it runs with the Alpine 

 Hare it refuses to breed with other kinds. Barrett-Hamilton 

 is satisfied that it is distinct, and probably a direct descendant 

 of the extinct Lepus anglicus whose remains are found in late 

 Pleistocene rocks. 



It is a larger beast than the Alpine Hare. The head and 

 body average about twenty-three inches in length, and the tail 

 about three inches. The ears slightly exceed the tail. The 

 average weight is about seven pounds ; but exceptionally 

 exceeds nine, and in one case ten pounds has been recorded. 

 It has russet fur, not smoky brown or "blue" as in the Alpine 

 Hare ; its winter whitening is not regular as in that species, and 

 is frequently patchy, russet "islands" being left surrounded by 

 white. 



As compared with the Brown Hare, the Irish Hare is smaller 

 and of more graceful build, but the head is relatively longer 



