226 BRITISH QUADRUPEDS. 



has not the swiftness of the common species. As the 

 winter draws on, it leaves its high mountain residence, 

 and descends to a warmer and more genial climate. Its 

 fur now undergoes a change as complete as that of the 

 ermine ; it becomes gradually, and at length wholly, 

 white, only excepting the lips and the tips of the ears, 

 which always remain black. 



There is no change of its coat in the autumn, but the 

 grey fur is whitened in patches, until it has altogether 

 undergone this alteration in colour. This continues 

 during the whole winter, and in the spring the white 

 fur is thrown off, and a new coat makes its appearance. 



In Scotland the change thus proceeds. About the 

 middle of September the grey feet begin to be white ; 

 and before the month ends, all the four feet are white, 

 and the ears and muzzle of a brighter colour. The 

 white colour gradually ascends the legs and thighs, and 

 under the grey hairs whitish spots are observed, which 

 continue to increase till about the middle of October ; 

 but still the back continues of a grey colour, while the 

 eyebrows and ears are nearly white. From this period, 

 the change proceeds very rapidly ; and by the middle 

 of November, the whole fur, with the exception of the 

 tips of the ears, is of a shining white. The back be- 

 comes white within eight days. During the whole of 



