96 



NORTHERN HARE. 



DIMENSIONS. 



From point of nose to root of tail 



Tail (vertebrae) 



Do., to end of hair 



From heel to end of middle claw 



Height of ear .... 



Another specimen of moderate size. 



From point of nose to root of tail 



Tail (vertebraB) . ♦ . 



Do., to ond of hair . 



From heel to end of middle claw 



Height of ear .... 

 Weight: — This species in the beginning of winter varies from three to 

 six and a half pounds, but we consider 5 J pounds to be the average weight 

 of a full-grown animal in good condition. 



19J 



inches 



n 



do. 



2i 



do. 



5i 



do. 



Sk 



do. 



16 



do. 



11 



do. 



24 



do. 



5i 



do. 



3J 



do. 



Our different species of Hares, and more especially the present one and 

 the little gray rabbit, have been so much mixed up in the accounts of 

 authors, that great confusion exists in regard to their habits, and their 

 specific identity. The assertion of Warden, that the American Hare re- 

 treats into hollow trees when pursued, applies to the gray rabbit, for 

 which it was no doubt intended, but not to the Northern Hare. We 

 are not aware that the latter ever takes shelter either in a hole in the 

 earth, or in a hollow tree. We have seen it chased by hounds for whole 

 days, and have witnessed the repetition of these hunts for several succes- 

 sive winters, without ever knovidng it to seek concealment or security in 

 such places. It depends on its long legs, and on the thickness of the 

 woods, to aid it in evading the pursuit of its enemies. When hunted, it 

 winds and doubles among thick clusters of young pines and scrub-oaks, 

 or leads the dogs through entangled patches of hemlock and spruce fir, 

 until it sometimes wearies out its pursuers ; and unless the hunter should 

 appear, and stop its career w^ith the gun, it is almost certain to escape. 



In deep snows, the animal is so Ught, and is so well supported by its 

 broad fiirry-feet, that it passes over the surface making only a faint 

 impression, whilst the hounds plunge deep into the snow at every 

 bound, and soon give up the hopeless pursuit. It avoids not only open 

 grounds, but even open woods, and confines itself to the densest and 

 most impenetrable forests. Although it wanders by night in many direc- 



