96 NEW-YORK FAUNA. 



liigh northern latitudes, can two individuals be found marked precisely alike. At all seasons, 

 the base of the fur is plumbeous above and white beneath. Winter dress : White or nearly so, 

 with irregular spots and dashes of a bright fawn-color, which is more apparent on the fore legs, 

 ears and buttocks ; ears margined with blackish brown above, becoming deeper towards the 

 tips ; tail and all beneath white. Summer dress : Above bright fawn or reddish brown ; fore- 

 head, cheeks and ears of the same color ; all beneath white ; edges of the ears white, bordered 

 with darker, particularly towards the tip. At all seasons, the hair on the soles is soiled white ; 

 margin of the eyelids dark brown ; pupil dark brown ; iris yellowish. 



Length of the head and body, 20 ' 0. Length of the tail, 1 • 5. 



Ditto of the head, 3 • 6. Ditto of the fore legs, . . .'. 6 • .5. 



Ditto of the ears, 3 '4. Ditto of the hind legs, 11 "2. 



Weight, 6^ lbs. 



The dimensions of this species, on the autliority of Bachman, vary from seventeen to twenty- 

 five inclics. It is remarliable how two observers have so widely differed in their account of 

 the dimensions of the same specimen. Bonaparte gives the total length as thirty-one inches. 

 Harlan's measurement of the same specimen makes it but sixteen inches. These statements 

 may be reconciled, when we recollect that the latter measured from the specimen when it was 

 set up, whilst Bonaparte's dimensions were taken from the specimen when recent, and probably 

 represented the distance from the nose to the extiemity of the hind legs. 



This Hare was first vaguely indicated by Erxleben in 1777, but his name appears to have 

 excited httle attention. The work is exceedingly rare and difEcult to procure, and the species 

 continued to be confounded with the L. variabilis of Europe for nearly sixty years. Dr. 

 Harlan carefully examined it, and determined it to be a distinct species, and not being aware 

 of Erxleben's name, (which, it may be observed parenthetically, will apply to half a dozen 

 northern hares,) gave it the name of virgtnianus. 



It occurs in most parts of the State, and is often called the While Rabbit. In the winter, 

 the markets of New-York are abundantly supplied with this species from the Kaaterskill and 

 Shawangunk (Shongo) mountains. As an article of food, it is highly esteemed by many ; 

 but, as we suppose, rather from an association of ideas connected with the European hare, 

 than from any merit of its own. It is in itself insipid and tasteless, and not to be compared 

 with the common rabbit. Its food is various, consisting chiefly of grasses, buds, bark, leaves 

 and berries. According to Bachman, they are fond of the young twigs of the spice wood 

 {Laurus benzoin), the black poplar {Populus hudso7iica), and the leaves and bcmes of various 

 species of Pyrola or Pipsiseway. It lives exclusively in elevated and dry forests of pines 

 and firs, never venturing upon cleared or cultivated lands. Its period of gestation is about 

 six weeks, producing from four to six young at a litter. It makes more resistance when 

 seized than any other species, using its teeth and nails with great freedom. Under certain 

 circumstances, however, all hares will exhibit considerable boldness. We have been informed 

 by an eye-witness, that he saw a European buck rabbit {L. cuniculus) attack a cat, and rip 

 open its bowels by a single stroke of its hind claws. 



