Hares Boxing. 7 



direct line, and also, it ma}' be suspected, as a prom- 

 enade on which to meet the ladies of his acquaintance 

 by moonlight. 



It is amusing to see two of these animals drum- 

 ming each other ; they stand on their hind legs (which 

 are ver}' long) like a dog taught to beg, and strike 

 with the fore-pads as if boxing, only the blow is de- 

 hvered downwards instead of from the shoulder. The 

 clatter of their pads may be heard much farther than 

 would be supposed. Round and round they go like 

 a couple waltzing ; now one giving ground and then the 

 other, the fore-legs striking all the while with marvel- 

 lous rapidit}'. Presentl}^ they pause — it is to recover 

 breath only ; and, ' time ' being up, to work they go 

 again with renewed energy, dancing round and round, 

 till the observer cannot choose but smile. This trick 

 they will continue till you are weary of watching. 



There are holes on the hills, not above a yard deep 

 and entering the slope horizontally, which are said 

 to be used by the hares more in a playful mood than 

 from any real desire of shelter. Yet they dislike wet ; 

 most wild animals do. Birds, on the contrary, find 

 it answer their purpose, grubs and worms abounding 

 at such times. Though the hare is of a wandering 

 disposition he usually returns to the same form, and, 

 if undisturbed, will use it every day for a length of 

 time, at night perhaps being miles away. If hard 

 pressed b}' the dogs he will leap a broad brook in fine 

 style, but he usually prefers to cross b}^ a bridge. In 

 the evening, as it grows dusk, if you watch from the 

 elevation of the entrenchment, 3'ou ma}- see these 

 creatures steal out into the level cornfield below, first 

 one, then two, presently five or six — looming much 



