322 lewis' AMERICAN SPORTSMAlSr. 



1 



points that it is not at all astonishing that they should often be 

 confounded one with the other ; in fact, nothing but the dis- 

 criminating eyes of science could have pointed out the dividing 

 link between these two nearly allied species. 



The principal and most striking difference in the habits of 

 these two species is the circumstance of one living in commu- 

 nities and burrowing in the ground, while the other live singly 

 or in pairs, and make their nest upon the open surface; this 

 striking peculiarity of the American Hare is almost sufficient 

 of itself to prove the entire identity of the species with that of 

 the English Hare (Lepus Cnniculus). 



We have, however, still stronger grounds than this for placing 

 our Eabbit, as it is termed, in the same rank with that of the 

 European Hare. 



The American Hare, as the English, breeds about three times 

 in the course of a year ; in the South they may possibly, owing 

 to the effects of climate, bring forth more frequently. Their 

 nest is of the rudest character, and constructed with little or no 

 care to anything like warmth or comfort ; it is generally found 

 upon the open ground, in an old field, perhaps protected some- 

 what from the weather, and easy observation, by the overhang- 

 ing leaves of a shrub or other small plant. 



The Rabbit, on the contrary, has several litters in the course 

 of the year, and selects with some degree of care the choicest 

 part of its burrow for the deposit of its young ; the nest is made 

 of the softest materials within the reach of the anxious mother, 

 and she even plucks the downy fleece from her own body to 

 furnish a soft and warm bed for the reception of her tender off- 

 spring. 



The young of the Lepus Sylvaticus, at birth, are covered with 

 hair, their eyes wide open and ready for immediate use ; their 

 ears fully developed and eager for action ; their bodies supple 

 and their limbs pliant, even so much so that they possess suffi- 

 cient strength to run'almost at the moment of birth. 



The young of the Rabbit, on the contrary, are deposited in 

 the dark recesses of the burrow, entirely destitute of any pro- 

 tection in the way of fur, their eyes shut up and their ear flaps 

 even closed; their bodies also are soft and delicate; and their 

 limbs feeble ; in fact, the litter is entirely dependent upon the 



