292 rnii'trsHij of California I'i(blicafi()))s in Zoology. [Vol. 7 



at the greatest elevation on Leonard Creek, where a couple were 

 observed at 6500 feet altitude. They were fairly common between 

 Winnemucca and Quinn River Crossing, and were very numerous 

 about Big Creek Ranch. They are said to attain to such numbers 

 during certain favorable years that they do a great deal of dam- 

 age to the alfalfa. At intervals, however, as is commonly the case 

 with jack rabbits, some disease or parasite kills them off by hun- 

 dreds. 



Zonally these records are from Upper Sonoran. The highest 

 points at which the animals were seen are exposed sage-covered 

 slopes, typical tongues of Upper Sonoran, bordered by Transition 

 plants and animals. 



Habits. — A number of hare forms were noted by our party. 

 On i\Iay 14 a juvenal was jumped from one of simple construction 

 under a sagebush near Amos, Nevada. This form was merely a 

 depression relatively clear of debris and broken twigs. It was 

 fairly well screened by the branches of the bush, and measured 

 twelve by eighteen inches. Apparently some digging had been 

 done in the construction of one form, which was a slight depres- 

 sion eighteen inches long by six inches wide. This form was 

 found under a low desert plant. The grass in the immediate 

 vicinity had been cropped. These two forms were typical of all 

 those observed. 



The lack of shyness of the jack rabbits impressed us innned- 

 iately. Very often individuals would stop behind a bush, or even 

 at times in the open, only a short distance away from the collector. 

 This was especially noticeable about Big Creek Ranch, where 

 they were more numerous than anywhere else. The animals would 

 hardly take the trouble to get out of one's way, and it was some- 

 times almost impossible to frighten them into a run. On June 11 

 at Big Creek Ranch I almost walked up to an individual that 

 was nibbling grass among the willows along the creek. It con- 

 tinued eating. aml)ling off at a- comfortable pace after several 

 minutes. In the heat of the day they seek the shade of the sa^'e- 

 l)rnsli. 



Two males collected May 19 (nos. 8271 and S272) hud llie 

 enlarued testes indicative of breeding activitw 



