THE SWAMP HARE. 143 



the ground, of two or three j'ards, and to these sticks 

 the net is firmly attached both at top and bottom. One 

 of the Indian hunters takes his position at each sup- 

 porting stake, armed with a heavy club. 



Others of the tribe then go in and beat the bushes, 

 accompanied by their dogs, if they have any ; and by 

 dint of ferocious yells and screams, soon frighten the 

 poor hares from their forms. The frightened ani- 

 mals at once try to rush away by their usual paths, 

 but are stopped by the nets; and then the Indian 

 knocks them on the head, one after another, with great 

 dexterity. A large party of the Indians has been known 

 to kill at least two hundred hares in one day, in this 

 way. 



Another species of hare found in the Southern States 

 of America is the Swamp hare (Lepus aquaticus). It 

 is about the size of the common hare, thouofh it differs 

 slightly in colour. Its habits are very peculiar, differ- 

 ing from all our preconceived notions of the family. It 

 is very seldom seen on high grounds or on rolling 

 prairies, but lives by the side of ponds and lakes, or by 

 the side of a stream — invariably choosing the most 

 marshy spots as a feeding ground. It takes to the water 

 almost as freely as a Newfoundland dog, and is often 

 seen swimming from place to place in search of various 

 aquatic plants, of which it is very fond. Its instinct 

 always leads it to take to water when chased by man 

 or dog, and there its scent is lost. But in avoiding one 



