448 



IiEPOBIDjE. 



Dentition: i.^ pni. ~, m. |^. Toes 5-4. Vertebrse : 0. 7, 

 D. 12, L. 7, S. 4, C. 13-15. 



Fig. 147. — Skull of Lepus nigricollh, x |. 



But a single genus is usually recognized in this family. Hares 

 are found in all geographical regions except the Australian. 



Genus LEPUS, L. (1766). 

 Syn. C(iprolci(/us, Blyth (184.'')). 



Characters of the family. E ares are well known and scarcely 

 require description. There are several Indian species, some found 

 in tropical parts of the country, others confined to the Himalayas. 

 As a rule two different species do not inhabit the same area, but 

 L. rvjieaufl ahis and L. Jiispidvs may form an exception, as both 

 apparently occur in Eastern Bengal and Assam. 



Hares have much resemblance to each other in habits ; as a rule 

 they dwell in grass, or amongst bushes or rocks, each living soli- 

 tarily in a particular spot, known as its form ; usually a mere seat 

 in the grass, or beside a bush or stone. To this form the animal 

 returns, sometimes daily, for a considerable period, changing, how- 

 ever, with the season of year. Hares move about and feed in the 

 morniug and evening and at night, liAing entirely on grass and 

 other plants. They are swift of foot, and owing to the length of 

 their hind legs can ascend a slope at great sjieed. True hares do 

 not burrow. They breed several times in the year; the ])eriod of 

 gestation is about a month, and the young are born \\ith their 



