NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



This species of Hare appears to be generally dis- 

 tributed from the Cape to the Zambesi. It is a 

 more bush-loving species than the Cape Hare, for, 

 instead of frequenting the open veld, it prefers 

 bush-covered localities, and always prefers to make 

 its " form " or lair in the midst of dense brush- 

 wood or undergrowth. 



It lies very close, but when alarmed by dogs, or 

 by casting stones into its retreat, it breaks cover 

 with great bounds, usually accompanied with crack- 

 ling and swishing of the herbage, so much so that 

 the sportsman is often deceived into the belief that 

 it is a buck which has bounded out. 



These hares are very plentiful in the neighbour- 

 hood of Port Elizabeth and the surrounding dis- 

 tricts ; and during the game season great numbers 

 are sent to market. They are always found in the 

 bush-veld, and on the scrub-covered hills in these 

 districts. 



In the vicinity of Port Elizabeth they retire to 

 the dense masses of undergrowth and patches of 

 thorny scrub during the daytime, and issue forth 

 into the open lands at night and play havoc in the 

 vegetable gardens and farmer's fields. Like the 

 Cape Hare they often frequent the roadways, and 

 it is a common occurrence to come upon them 

 suddenly when motoring or cycling at night. 



The breeding habits of this Hare are similar to 

 those of the Cape Hare. It also leads a solitary 

 life, except at the breeding time. It has hitherto 



