THE AMERICAN HARE. 347 



rally in a straight course, but when hard pressed resort to the 

 artifices of doubling, a manoeuvre practised constantly by the 

 European variety. They will also hide themselves away in the 

 trunk of a hollow tree, which they ascend by pressing the feet 

 and back against opposite sides of the hollow. 



The kind of dogs most generally employed in the pursuit of 

 hares in this country is a small species of beagle, the production, 

 we believe, of a cross and recross of the fox-hound and beagle. 

 These animals, as well as most other mongrels found on our farms, 

 become very fond of the sport, and acquire considerable sagacity 

 and speed in the chase. 



There are few dogs that live in the country but will hunt rabbits, 

 or, more correctly speaking, hares ; some of course are far superior 

 to others, according to their build and the intelligence bequeathed 

 them by their ancestors. 



DOMESTICATED. 



American hares have in some few instances been domesticated, 

 but, when confined in enclosures, are ever making efforts to escape ; 

 they will, however, breed in warrens. 



THEIR CRY. 



" This species, like all the true hares, has no note of recognition ; 

 and its voice is never heard, except when wounded, or at the mo- 

 ment of its capture, when it utters a shrill, plaintive cry, like that 

 of a young child in pain ; in the Northern hare this cry is louder, 

 shriller, and of longer continuance." 



ENEMIES. 



It is not surprising that a timid, defenceless creature like the 

 hare should have numerous sanguinary enemies ; and among them 

 none are more destructive than the weasel. This formidable and 

 courageous little animal is constantly on the look-out for hares, 

 and, tracking them, enters the holes, hollow trees, or other places 

 where they are secreted, and dispatches them with the greatest 



