96 
NEW-YORK FAUNA. 
high northern latitudes, can two individuals be found marked precisely alike. At all seasons, 
the base of the fur is plumbeous above and white beneath. Winter dress : White or nearly so, 
with irregular spots and dashes of a bright fawn-color, which is more apparent on the fore legs, 
ears and buttocks; ears margined with blackish brown above, becoming deeper towards the 
tips ; tail and all beneath white. Summer dress : Above bright fawn or reddish brown ; fore¬ 
head, cheeks and ears of the same color ; all beneath white ; edges of the ears white, bordered 
with darker, particularly towards the tip. At all seasons, the hair on the soles is soiled white; 
margin of the eyelids dark brown ; pupil dark brown ; iris yellowish. ' 
Length of the head and body, 20 1 0. Length of the tail,. 1 • 5. 
Ditto of the head,. 3 6. Ditto of the fore legs,- 6 *5. 
Ditto of the ears,.. 3 ‘ 4. Ditto of the hind legs,_ 11 • 2. 
Weight,. 65 lbs. 
The dimensions of this species, on the authority of Bachman, vary from seventeen to twenty- 
five inches. It is re marls able how two observers have so widely differed in their account of 
the dimensions of the same specimen. Bonaparte gives the total length as thirty-one inches. 
Harlan’s measurement of the same specimen makes it but sixteen inches. These statements 
may be reconciled, when we recollect that the latter measured from the specimen when it was 
set up, whilst Bonaparte’s dimensions were taken from the specimen when recent, and probably 
represented the distance from the nose to the extremity of the hind legs. 
This Hare was first vaguely indicated by Erxleben in 1777, but his name appears to have 
excited little attention. The work is exceedingly rare and difficult to procure, and the species 
continued to be confounded with the L. variabilis of Europe for nearly sixty years. Dr. 
Harlan carefully examined it, and determined it to be a distinct species, and not being aware 
of Erxleben’s name, (which, it may be observed parenthetically, will apply to half a dozen 
northern hares,) gave it the name of virginianus. 
It occurs in most parts of the State, and is often called the White Rabbit. In the winter, 
the markets of New-York are abundantly supplied with this species from the Kaaterskill and 
Shawangunk (Shongo.) mountains. As an article of food, it is highly esteemed by many; 
but, as we suppose,, rather from an association of ideas connected with the European hare, 
than from any merit of its own. It is in itself insipid and tasteless, and not.tobe compared 
with the common rabbit. Its food is various, consisting chiefly of grasses, buds, bark, leaves 
and berries. According to Bachman, they are fond of the young twigs of the spicewood 
(Laurus benzoin), the black poplar (Populus hudsqmca), and the leaves and berries of various 
species of Pyrola or Pipsiseway. It lives exclusively in elevated and dry forests of pines 
and firs, never venturing upon cleared or cultivated lands. Its period of gestation is about 
six weeks, producing from four to six young at a litter. It makes more resistance when 
seized than any other species, using its teeth and nails with great freedom. Under certain 
circumstances, however, all hares will exhibit considerable boldness. We have been informed 
by an eye-witness, that he saw a European buck rabbit ( L. cuniculus) attack a cat, and rip 
open its bowels by a single stroke of its hind claws. 
