138 THE AMERICAN HARE. 



juicy plants and grasses, as well as on the bark and 

 buds of many small shrubs and bashes. They evince a 

 great fondness for the twigs of the wild spice-bush 

 {Lauriis benzoin), and the shoots of the American 

 black poplar tree {Populus Hudsonica). The latter 

 tree is sometimes cut down by the American hunters 

 for the purpose of attracting the hares, which come in 

 numbers to feed on its branches. 



In the winter months they are put to great shifts for 

 food in the Northern States. Sometimes they gnaw the 

 bark of various species of pine trees, or scratch up the 

 snow for the purpose of obtaining the leaves and 

 berries of the Pyrola, of which several species are 

 found. They also seek greedily after the bark of wil- 

 low and birch trees. 



The skin of the American hare is very tender and 

 easily torn, while the fur soon drops from it. It is 

 not, therefore, in great request amongst the fur mer- 

 chants, or much valued by the hat-maker. 



When caught in snares, the hunter should be careful 

 how he handles the hare, for it will scratch with the 

 greatest vigour, inflicting severe wounds with its claws. 

 Like most animals of its class, the American hare has 

 many enemies besides men and their trained assistants 

 — the hounds. The lynx, the panther, and the wild cat, 

 all lie iD wait for it as it bounds through the woods. 

 The great snowy owl {Surnea nydea) hovers through 

 the open timber, or over the plain, waiting for an 



