CLASS I. MAMMALIA: ORDER 7. RODENTIA. 34.5 



state, especially in the color. Hence the early English settlers called it a rabbit, and though it is 

 in fact a hare, it is popularly called a rabbit to this day. It is a little smaller and more slender than 

 the L. cuniculus ; the fur is soft, the color in summer yellowish-brown, the tips of the hair, in some 

 instances, though not generally, becoming white, and giving the animal a more grayish appear- 

 ance, in winter. The length of the head and body is fifteen inches ; weight two pounds and a 

 half to three pounds. It lives in woods and forests, and in the thickets bordering upon cultivated 

 grounds. Sometimes it visits the farms and plantations, and makes tree with the peas, lettuces, 

 and cabbages of the garden. It generally remains in its form by day, and makes its excursions 

 in quest of food by night. 



When first started, it runs with great swiftness, but soon seeks shelter in a stone wall, a hole 

 in a tree, or an opening beneath the rocks. If pursued, it makes occasional doublings, and often 

 stops and rises on its hind-legs, and listens and looks around. It has the common habit of the 

 hares of stamping at night with its feet on the ground, when it is alarmed or when the males are 

 fighting. It has no calling note, but sometimes utters a wild shriek when wounded or when 

 captured. It is a prolific species, producing young three times in the season, and from five to 

 seven at a time. It does not make burrows for itself, but sometimes, in case of pursuit, takes 

 refug-e in the burrows of other animals. Occasionally it is said to ov> into the retreat of a 

 skunk ; but if that personage be at home, the hare pays with his life for the intrusion. 



The enemies of this timid creature are numerous ; the ermine and weasel destroy it by thou- 

 sands ; the lynxes, the foxes, the hawks, the owls, the rattlesnake, the chicken-snake, and other 

 serpents, prey upon it by hundreds of thousands. But man is its greatest destroyer. During 

 the winter season the markets of the larger towns of the L nited States are strung with it in 

 abundance. It is frequently taken in box-traps and in snares, and is also hunted with and with- 

 out dogs. 



This animal is well known in the United States, from Maine to Georgia, and westward to the 

 Rocky Mountains : in general it is not abundant, but in certain localities it is found in great 

 numbers. 



The Northern Hare, L. Americanus, the L. Virginianus of some authors, varies in size and 

 color, but is usually about twenty inches in length, and commonly weighs five or six pounds. 

 In summer it is reddish-brown, a color which it retains till about November, when it gradually 

 changes in high northern latitudes, becoming nearly pure white. In the region of New York it 

 retains a tinge of reddish-brown. The summer dress is assumed about the month of April. 



"When hunted, this hare relies upon its speed and doublings for escape. It avoids open grounds, 

 and resides among thickets, never taking to holes and burrows for refuge, like the gray rabbit. 

 It runs easily upon the snow, being supported by its broad furred feet. It seldom ventures into 

 cultivated grounds, but feeds on tender grasses, and the bark, leaves, and buds of small shrubs. 

 It reposes during the day r and goes forth at night ; in summer, however, it may occasionally be 

 seen abroad in the solitary paths of the forest. Sometimes two or three may be seen together, 

 manifesting a social and playful humor. It has the practice of thumping on the earth, when in 

 fear or danger, as noticed in respect to other species. The period of gestation is about six week.-. 

 and three or four litters are produced in a season. When captured, it does not, like the gray 

 rabbit, yield without resistance to its fate, but bites and scratches vigorously. 



As an article of food, this hare is not greatly prized ; the fur is rather' rough, and the skin, 

 being exceedingly tender, is not easily procured. The pelt is not of much value : the hind-feet, 

 however, are used as hair-brushes. This is decidedly a northern- species r being found along the 

 eastern portion of our continent from Hudson's Bay to Virginia- It is, however, much less 

 abundant than the gray rabbit. 



The Polar Hare, or Rekalek, L. glacialis. — This species is somewhat larger than the common 

 1 hare of Europe, being about twenty-six inches long, and weighing from sev^n to twelve pounds ; 

 ita color is light gray or brown in summer, and white in winter; the tips of the ears always remain- 

 ing black. It is found entirely across the American continent, from Labrador north to the 

 , desolate waters beyond the reach of man. Living where all other food, vegetable and animal, is 

 'wanting, it often affords temporary subsistance to the wandering Esquimaux or the lonely adven- 

 Vol. I.— 44 



