CHAPTER XXV. 



AMERICAN HARE, OR GRAY RABBIT. LEPUS SYLVATICUS. 



DESCRIPTION, HABITS, GENERAL CHARACTERISTCS, ETC. 



SUMMER DRESS. 



Fur on the back, yellowish brown ; soft fur, from the roots 

 to the surface, plumbeous; the long hairs which extend beyond 

 the fur, and give the general color to the animal, are for three- 

 fourths of their length lead colored, then yellowish, and are 

 tipped with black ; cars, dark brown on the outer surface, des- 

 titute of the distinct black border seen in the Northern Hare, 

 and not tipped with black like those of the Polar and Variable 

 Hare; whiskers, nearly all black; iris, light brownish-yellow; 

 a circle of ftiwn color around the eye, more conspicuous nearest 

 the forehead; cheeks, grayish; chin, under surface of body, and 

 inner surface of legs, light grayish-white ; tail, upper surface, 

 grayish-brown, beneath, white; breast, light yellowish-gray; 

 behind the ears, a broad patch of fawn color ; outer surface of 

 fore-legs and thighs, yellowish-brown. 



