COMMON BUZZARD. 518 
did the Marsh Hare appear, than with a whoop, they gave chase, and 
seldom failed to overtake it. 
The feet of the Marsh Hare are admirably adapted to its aquatic 
habits. A thick covering of hair on its soles, like that on the other 
species, would be inconvenient; they would not only be kept wet for a 
considerable length of time, but would retard them in swimming. All 
quadrupeds that frequent the water, such as the Beaver, Otter, Musk- 
rat, Mink, &c., and aquatic birds, have nearly naked palms; and it is 
this peculiar structure, together with the facility of distending its toes, 
that enables this quadruped to swim with such ease and rapidity. The 
track, when observed in moist or muddy situations, differs very much 
from that of the other species. Its toes are spread out, each leaving 
a distinct impression, like those of the rat. 
“ The Marsh Hare deposits its young in a pretty large nest, com- 
posed of a large species of rush (Juncus effusus) growing in a con- 
venient situation. These appeared to have been cut into pieces of 
about a foot in length. I have seen these nests nearly surrounded by, 
and almost floating on, the water. They were generally arched, by 
carefully bending the rush-grass over them, admitting the mother by 
a pretty large hole in the side. A considerable quantity of hair was 
found lining the nest, but whether plucked out by the parent, or the ef- 
fect of the season, (it being late in spring when these animals shed 
their coat) I was unable to ascertain. The young were from five to 
seven. They evidently breed several times in the season, but I have 
observed that the females usually produce their young two months 
later, at least, than the American Hare. Twenty-one specimens were 
obtained from the 9th to the 14th day of April; none of the females 
had produced young that season, although some of them would have 
done so in a very few days. On one occasion only, have I seen the 
young in March. These bear a strong resemblance to the adults, and 
may almost at a glance be distinguished from those of the last-men- 
tioned species. 
“ This species possesses a strong marshy smell at all times, even 
when kept in confinement, and fed on the choicest food. Its flesh, 
however, although dark, is fully equal, if not superior, to that of the 
American Hare. The Marsh Hare never visits gardens or cultivated 
fields, confining itself throughout the year to the marshes. It is occa- 
sionally found in places overflown by salt or brackish water, but seems 
VOL. Iv. Kk 
