MAMMALIA— AMERICAN HARE. 259 



opposite sides of the hollow, ascending somewhat in the same manner that 

 a sweep climbs a chimney. 



The hare is not hunted in this country as in Europe, but is generally 

 roused by a dog, and shot, or is caught in various traps and snares. In its 

 movements our hare closely resembles the common hare of Europe, bound- 

 ing along with great celerity, and would no doubt, when pursued, resort to 

 the artifices of doubling, &c., so well known to be used by the European 

 animal. The American hare breeds several times during the year, and in 

 the Southern States even during the winter months, having from two to 

 four or six at a litter. 



In general, the hare is not devoid of the instinct necessary for its pre- 

 servation, nor of sagacity sufficient to effect an escape from its enemies. It 

 prepares for itself a form ; and in winter, it chooses a spot which is exposed 

 to the south, as in summer it does one which is situated to the north. It 

 hides itself from view among hillocks of earth which are of the same color 

 as its hair. " I have seen," says Du Fouilloux, " a hare so cunning, that, 

 as soon as it heard the huntsman's horn, it started from its form, and, 

 though at the distance of a quarter of a league from it, leaped to a pond, and 

 there hid itself among the rushes, and thus escaped the pursuit of the dogs. 

 I have seen a hare, which, after having run above two hours before the 

 dogs, has dislodged another hare, and taken possession of its form. I have 

 seen others swim over three ponds, of which the smallest Avas not less than 

 eighty paces broad. I have seen others, which, after having been warmly 

 chased for two hours, have entered a sheepcote, through the little opening 

 under the door, and remained among the cattle. I have seen others, which, 

 when the dogs have chased them, joined a flock of sheep in the field, and, 

 in like manner, remained with them. I have seen others, which, when 

 they heard the dogs, have concealed themselves in the earth. I have seen 

 others, which have gone along one side of a hedge, and returned by the 

 other ; so that there was only the thickness of the hedge between the dogs 

 and the hare. I have seen others, which, after they had been chased for 

 half an hour, have mounted an old wall of six feet high, and taken refuge in 

 a hole covered with ivy." 



The nature of the soil has a great influence on these, as Avell as on all 

 other animals ; the hares of the mountains are larger and fatter than those 

 of the plains, and are also of a different color ; the former being browner on 

 the body, and whiter about the neck than the latter, which are more inclined 

 to red. On high mountains, and in the northern countries, they become 

 white in the winter, and in summer recover their ordinary color. 



