THE HARE. 



Strictly speaking, this animal is an improper object for the 

 shooting sportsman ; in fact, there is an act of parliament which 

 subjects any person to a penalty for shooting a hare ; but this 

 act is superseded by a posterior one, and the practice of shoot- 

 ing these animals has become very general. 



The hare is one of the most timid animals in nature ; fearful 

 of every danger, and attentive to every alarm, it is continually 

 upon the watch ; and being provided with very long ears, which 

 are moveable at pleasure, and easily directed to any quarter, it 

 is warned of the distant approach of its enemies. As the hare 

 is destitute of the means of defence, nature has endowed it with 

 powers of evasion in a superior decree : every part and member 

 of this animal seems peculiarly formed for celerity, and it is con- 

 sequently one of the swiftest quadrupeds in the world. Its hind 

 legs are much longer than the fore ones, and are furnished with 

 strong muscles, which give it a singular advantage in running 

 up a hill ; and of this it appears very sensible, as it is generally 

 observed to fly towards rising ground when first started. 



The colour of this animal is another great means of preserva- 

 tion, as it often so much resembles the ground on which it sits, 

 as not to be easily distinguished. In cold countries, near the 

 pole, where the ground is covered the greatest part of the year 

 with snow, the hare becomes white, which consequently renders 

 it less conspicuous in those frigid regions. 



Thus formed for escape, it might be supposed the hare would 

 enjoy a state of tolerable security ; but, although harmless and 



