320 NATURALIST'S CABINET, 



Description, &c. 



of the body, resembling that of stubble or fallow 

 ground, is also evidently conducive to the animal's 

 safety. In the northern regions., on the fall of the 

 winter snows, they are said to become perfectly 

 white ; and are then enabled, in a great measure, 

 to elude their enemies. Instances, indeed, have 

 been known of white hares in South Britain, and 

 one is said to have been killed in Shropshire so 

 recently as 1797, which weighed upwards of nine 

 pounds. The female ha's less strength and agi- 

 lity than the male, and is consequently more 

 timid. She is likewise said to practice more arts, 

 and to double more frequently. 



As the hare generally lives on the ground, its 

 feet are defended, both above and below, with a 

 thick covering of hair. In a moon-light evening 

 many of them may be seen sporting together, 

 leaping about and pursuing each other ; but they 

 are easily alarmed, and on the slightest noise, each 

 scampers off in a different direction. Their pace 

 is a kind of gallop, or quick succession of leaps: 

 they are extremely swift. 



The hare generally feeds in the evening, and 

 sleeps in his form during the day. In winter 

 their natural instinct leads them to choose a 

 form exposed to the south, to obtain all the pos- 

 sible warmth of that season ; and in summer, 

 when they are incommoded by the ardent rays 

 of the sun, they change this for one with a north- 

 ernly aspect; but in both cases they generally 



