272 RED-TAILED HAWK. 



the under parts nearly white, there being only a few narrow streaks on the 

 sides of the breast ; the tibial and tarsal feathers as in the male. The 

 tail is of a duller red, and wants the black bar. 

 Length 24i inches. 



The American Hare. 



Lepus amehicanus, Harlan, Fauna Americana, p. 193. 



The Rabbit, as this animal is named in the United States, has the 

 habits of the European Hare, forming a flat, well-beaten, oblong space 

 among the grass, on which it rests during the day. It never burrows like 

 the Common Rabbit of Europe, although it resorts for safety to the hol- 

 lows of fallen trvxnks, or those frequently existing at the roots of standing 

 trees, as well as to cavities in rocks. It feeds principally towards the ap- 

 proach of night and early in the morning, and spends the greater part of 

 the day in its form. When startled by a dog, it proceeds in a direct man- 

 ner for a considerable way, and then returns nearly by the same course. 

 When disturbed, if there be not a dog present, it runs to a short distance, 

 stops, raises its head, erects its ears, and is then easily discovered and 

 shot. When the period of parturition approaches, it forms a kind of nest 

 of long grass, arranged in an oblong form. Its flesh is whiter than that 

 of the European Hare, but resembles it in flavour. It gnaws the bark of 

 young trees in the orchards as well as in the forests, and is in many parts 

 very abundant. 



