136 THE AMERICAN HARE. 



In winter, however, they frequent only a single path 

 leading from their usual haunt to the feeding grounds ; 

 seeking for refuge in some very sheltered nook, which 

 it leaves only when pressed by htmger. In this respect 

 the American hare much resembles its Eno-lish name- 

 sake, which will make a regular foot-path through 

 a field of standing corn. The Indians are as expert in 

 the practice of setting snares for them as any poachers 

 can be. 



In those parts of America where the hand of man 

 has felled the forest and cultivated the plain, hares, 

 from an instinctive dread of snares, seldom approach 

 the fields of the farmer. 



The hare is not known to biirroiv in the earth, 

 although it sometimes has its domicile in the crevices 

 of rocks. It has been chased with dogs for hours 

 without going to earth. Its long legs are a security 

 against the pursuit of anything but a greyhound. 

 Like the English hare, it will wind and double amongst 

 the bushes in the most tortuous manner, and in such 

 a style as to throw the dogs entirely off its track. 

 Unless the hunter appears upon the scene, and with 

 his gun stops its progress, the nimble animal, which 

 is quite as long-legged as its British namesake, is 

 sure to escape. 



In the Northern States, where it changes its coat 

 to a dull white in the winter months, some thoughtless 

 hunters, who are not compelled to depend on their 



