370 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



singular advantage in running up a hill: sensible 

 of its powers in this respect, it is always observed 

 to fly towards rising ground when first started. 



Thus formed for escape, the Hare might be sup- 

 posed to enjoy a state of tolerable security; but as 

 every rapacious creature is its enemy, it is seldom 

 permitted to live out its natural term. Dogs and 

 Foxes pursue it by instinct ; Wild-Cats, and 

 Weasels of all kinds, catch and devour it; birds of 

 prey are still more dangerous enemies ; whilst man, 

 far more powerful than all, makes use of every 

 artifice to obtain an animal which constitutes one 

 of the numerous delicacies of his table. If we were 

 to enumerate the various stratagems which in- 

 genuity has suggested to circumvent this persecuted 

 creature, we would willingly omit the notable 

 achievements and gallant exploits of the chase; 

 which, to a cool and dispassionate observer, seem 

 to demand a nobler game. 



" Poor is the triumph o'er the timid Hare." 



Another remarkable means of safety to the Hare 

 is its colour, which, being similar to the ground 

 where it sits, secures it from the sight of its enemies ; 

 and as a further instance of the care of Providence 

 in the preservation of its creatures, these, as well as 

 some other animals in more northern regions, are 

 observed to change their colour, and become per- 

 fectly white during winter, which renders them less 

 conspicuous in the snow. Some rare instances oc- 

 cur, of white Hares being met with in Great Britain. 



The Hare is very prolific, and breeds three or four 

 times in the year. The female goes with young 

 thirty days, and generally brings forth three or four 

 at a litter. The rutting season begins in February. 



