THE MOOR AND THE LOCH. 



15th of December, when I wished to ascertain whether the 

 change was quite complete. On that day I killed two hares 



Alpine. Common. 



and a leveret, and was astonished to find that one of the 

 former was in the same stage as those shot on the 2d of 

 December; while the change in the other hare and in the 

 leveret was complete, except a shading of grey on the back, 

 which is never purely white but in the depth of the severest 

 winters. 



During a mild winter, when the ground is free from snow, 

 the white hare invariably chooses the thickest patch of heather 

 it can find, as if aware of its conspicuous appearance ; and to 

 beat all the bushy tufts on the side and at the foot of rocky 

 hills, at such a time, affords the best chance of a shot. The 

 purity or dinginess of its colour is a true criterion of the 

 severity or mildness of the season. If the winter is open, I 

 have always remarked that the back and lower part of the 

 ears retain a shade of the fawn-colour ; if, on the contrary, 

 there is much frost and snow, the whole fur of the hare is 

 very bright and silvery, with scarcely a tint of brown. When 

 started from its form, I have constantly observed that it never 

 returns, evidently knowing that its refuge has been discovered. 

 It will sometimes burrow in the snow, in order to scrape for 

 food and avoid the cold wind, as well as for security. These 



