212 THE BLUE OR MOUNTAIN HARE. 



being quite blue. Normally the blue hare is no 

 more blue than is the brown rabbit. 



In December the blue hare begins to 'turn 

 white,' in order ' to match the snow.' Asa matter 

 of fact, the 'turning' process is effected by a moult, 

 as in the case of its near relative, the snowshoe 

 rabbit of North America ; and so far as the animal 

 matching its winter surroundings goes, it would 

 probably be better off if it remained brown. The 

 change is not always complete. A certain amount 

 of colour-pigment generally remains down the 

 spine, and the ears always retain their black tips 

 by way of a striking contrast. This fact would 

 seem to support the theory that animals that are 

 essentially creatures of the chase are coloured so 

 as to attract, rather than evade, detection when 

 they rise in flight. By the end of December most 

 of the hares are in full winter coat, which they 

 carry till March, when they quickly reassume their 

 spring-time garb. 



DISPOSITION. 



The blue hare is a less cautious and a less wary 

 animal than the brown. When disturbed it does 

 not run right away, but generally sits up and looks 

 curiously round after running a few paces, and 

 this it repeats several times ere finally passing out 

 of sight. I have known one to come limping un- 

 concernedly up to the butts where the guns were 

 in full blast, and to regard the sportsmen with cool 

 inquiry ! Often these hares are a great nuisance 

 on the moors, as their stupidity is apt to distract 

 the attention of the dogs. 



Though a comparatively solitary creature, the 

 blue hare is nevertheless more gregarious than 

 the brown. Sometimes, during a severe winter, 



