COMMON BUZZARD. 51] 
is much smaller, the vertical diameter about equal. Orbits of the eyes 
one-third smaller. This is a striking peculiarity, giving it a smaller 
and less prominent eye than that of any other American species. The 
pterygoid processes of the temporal bone project downwards nearly in 
a vertical line, whilst those of the American Hare are almost hori- 
zontal. 
“‘ Head and ears shorter than those of the Lepus Americanus ; legs 
short, and rather small; body short and thick ; feet small, thinly 
clothed with hair beneath, so as not to cover the nails, which are larger 
than those of the American Hare. Tail shorter than that of any other 
species of true hare inhabiting the United States, except the Lepus 
Nuttalli. Wair on the back long and somewhat rough. From the 
short legs and ears of this species, and its general clumsy habit, it has 
the appearance when running through the marshes, splashing through 
mud and mire, and plunging into creeks and ponds of water, of some 
large Norway Rat, hastening to escape from its pursuers. 
“The teeth are yellowish-white ; the eyes are dark brown, appearing 
in certain lights quite black. Upper parts of the head brown and 
greyish-ash. Around the orbits of the eyes slightly fawn-coloured. 
Whiskers black. Ears dark greyish-brown. The back and whole 
upper parts yellowish-brown, intermixed with many strong black hairs. 
The hairs, when examined singly, are bluish-grey at the roots, then 
light brown, and are tipped with black. The fur, beneath, is light 
plumbeous; under the chin grey ; throat yellowish-brown ; belly light 
grey, the fur beneath bluish. Under surface of the tail ash-colour, 
edged with brown. During winter the upper surface becomes consi- 
derably darker than in summer. 
Dimensions, taken from a specimen in the flesh : 
Length, from point of nose to insertion of tail, 13 inches 
Height, from the top of the fore-shoulder to the end 
of the middle claw, 7 
Length of the head, 3s 
ears, . : 24 
hind foot, . C 3 
tail (vertebre), ¢ 
tail, including the fur, . ; 4 13 
Weight 24 Ib. 
