STUDIES IN HARE LIFE 



the form with which EngUshmen are least acquainted 

 is the hare of North-east Europe. This animal pos- 

 sesses fur of a thick texture, and shows a tendency to 

 become white in winter, a circumstance which might 

 be expected to enhance the chance of its escaping 

 from its enemies during severe weather, such as is 

 often experienced in Russia. The central race, which 

 includes our English hare, is characterised by the 

 possession of fur of moderate texture. It shows a 

 disposition to become grey in winter. To find the 

 third race of brown hare recognised by the German 

 specialist just quoted it is necessary to go to the 

 extreme south of Europe. This hare of the Mediter- 

 ranean sub-region differs from the animal we know 

 so well at home in the relative thinness of its 

 pelage. Its ears are but scantily clothed with fur. 

 It is a redder animal than our hare. Mr. Abel 

 Chapman says that it is more brindled in colour than 

 our insular form. Another point of distinction lies 

 in the inferior size of the Mediterranean hare. 



Sportsmen are always interested in the weight of 

 game. The average weight of a hare often serves as 

 a topic for conversation in the gunroom. A full- 

 grown animal in good condition generally turns the 

 scales at seven or eight pounds. Plenty of hares 

 weigh nine and ten pounds, but it is a very big hare 



