i 9 6 RODENTS. 



in the lowlands of the greater part of Europe ; but it is somewhat curious that it 

 should find the wild climate of Ireland suitable to its existence. 



The mountain-hare is intermediate in size between the common hare and the 

 rabbit; and has a relatively smaller and more rounded head, with shorter ears, 

 hind-legs, and tail than the former. Throughout the year in Ireland and the 

 south of Sweden, and during summer in the greater part of the rest of its habitat, 

 the general colour of the pelage is light fulvous gi*ey ; the tips of the ears being- 

 black. With the commencement of winter, however, except in the regions named, 

 the fur gradually becomes more and more flaked with white, until at length it 

 assumes a uniformly white hue, save on the black tips of the ears. It is believed, 

 however, that in the extreme north the fur is white throughout the year. 



In general habits the mountain-hare appears to agree very closely with the 

 common species. Its " form " is generally made in the clefts of rocks, or between 

 stones ; and during the winter its food consists largely of lichens and pine-seeds. 

 In summer it ascends the higher mountains, produces from four to six young at a 

 birth, and it is doubtful if there is more than one litter in a year. It seems to be 

 more inclined to seek shelter under tree-stems, thick evergreens, etc., than the 

 common hare ; and the young are believed to be produced in sheltered cover. In 

 Arctic America the Polar hare remains active throughout the winter, feeding 

 chiefly on the berries of the arbutus and the bark of dwarf willows. 

 North American In addition to the polar hare, North America is the home of 



Hare. several species of the genus, two of which turn white in winder, 

 although the bases of the hairs retain their normal colour. The two species in 

 question are the prairie-hare (L. campestris), distinguished by its large size, long 

 ears, and the white hue of both surfaces of the tail ; and the smaller varying hare 

 (L. americanus), with shorter ears, and the tail dark above. 



Of the North American species, which do not turn white in winter, the best 

 known is the small wood-hare (L. sylvaticus), not unfrequently termed the grey 

 rabbit ; the usual colour of the upper-parts being grey, varied with black, and more 

 or less tinged with yellowish brown, while the uncler-parts are white. This hare is 

 a southern species, not ranging further north than the Adirondack region of New 

 York. In habits this species approximates somewhat to the rabbit, frequently 

 dwelling in hollow tree-stems or the deserted burrows of other mammals. Mr. 

 Kennicott states that it " is very prolific, producing young three or four times a 

 year, and usually from four to six at a birth. In open ground the female scratches 

 a shallow hollow, in which to bring forth her young. In this she forms a nest of 

 soft leaves and grasses, well lined with fur from her own body ; and when she is 

 absent the young are always completely covered and concealed in the nest, which 

 they leave at an early age, and separate from the mother as soon as able to take 

 care of themselves." The Brazilian hare (L. brasiliensis) is very closely allied to 

 the wood-hare, but has the under surface of the tail yellowish brown. 



There are a large number of species of hares inhabiting; Central 

 Asiatic Species. 



Asia, India, and the regions to the eastward. Of these the Indian 

 black -naped hare (L. nigricollis) is distinguished by the presence of a black patch 

 on the back of the neck, which is wanting in the common Indian hare (L. rufi- 

 caudatus). Both these species appear to be much less prolific than the European 



