A GERMAN VIEW OF THE FAUNA OF IRELAND. 395 
formerly described by Nilsson as Lepus borealis ; it is characterised 
by some peculiarities of colour, and is, in the strict sense, the 
L. timidus. of Linneeus, while the Central-European (including 
the German) form is known as L. europeus. LL. hibernicus of 
Treland is again different, smaller and darker in colour, resembling 
L. variabilis, but not turning white in winter.* 
Some writers consider Lepus borealis-timidus, Linn., and 
Lepus hibernicus as varieties of L. variabilis, Pallas, which latter 
species would then include the northern forms and the Alpine 
Hare. Professor Peters, in working out the mammals of the 
German North-Polar Expedition, has pointed out that L. gla- 
cialis of Greenland differs in the form of the skull from all 
European Hares. In cold winters the Irish Hare becomes lighter 
coloured, sometimes turning quite white. In the Belfast 
Museum is an almost snow-white specimen, whiter even than the 
Alpine Hare; but it must be borne in mind that this may be 
-only an accidental albino specimen. The number of young 
of the Irish Hare is usually three. It swims well, and will cross 
_ the water, even entering the sea, in search of a better feeding 
place. Many attempts have been made to introduce Lepus 
vulgaris into Ireland, but up to the present time unsuccessfully ;t+ 
this may possibly be owing to the quarrelsome nature of the 
native Hares, although the latter are the weaker of the two. On 
the whole, Lepus hibernicus appears to be the North-European 
Hare that came in the post-glacial period, but which, owing to the 
Separation of the island from the mainland and the change in 
climate, has gradually formed a remarkably constant variety.} 
To study the Irish sea-birds and the rich fauna of the 
Atlantic, there is no better place than Galway and the seaside 
villages in Galway Bay, with the neighbouring Isle of Arran. 
Here we find an original unmixed population usually speaking 
Irish, and here we may study their peculiar customs, their wide- 
Spread superstitions regarding animals, and original views of 
animal life and culture, which are so primitive that we ask 
involuntarily if this can still be civilized Europe. 
Innumerable flocks of Gulls and other sea and shore birds 
breed on the islands and on the coast; their eggs are regularly 
taken, and their flesh is eaten on fast-days, the church reckoning 
* This is a mistake, for both pied and white hares are well known in Ireland.— Ep. 
+ We should be obliged for statistics on this point.—Ep. 
¢ But it is identical with the Scotch Hare.—Ep. 
