NORTHERN HARE. 97 



tions in search of its appropriate food, we have scarcely ever seen its 

 tracks in the open fields ; it seems cautiously to avoid the cabbage and 

 turnip fields of the farmer, and seldom even in the most retired places 

 makes an encroachment on his cultivated grounds. 



The food of this species, in summer consists of various kinds of juicy 

 and tender grasses, and the bark, leaves, and buds, of several small 

 shrubs ; and these Hares seem to be particularly fond of the young twigs 

 of the wild allspice, (Lauras benzoin,) but in winter, when the earth is 

 covered with snow, they gain a precarious subsistence from the buds and 

 bark of such trees as are suited to their taste. Sometimes they scratch 

 up the snow to feed on the leaves and berries of the various species of 

 Pyrola, found in the Northern States. The bark of the willow, birch, and 

 poplar, and the buds of 3'oung pines, are sought after by them with avid- 

 ity. We have seen persons in the Northern part of the State of New 

 York, who were desirous of shooting these animals by moonlight, watch- 

 ing near American black-poplar trees, {Populus Htidsonica.) which they 

 had cut down for the purpose of attracting them to feed on their buds and 

 tender twigs, in which they were often successful. Some of these Hares 

 which we had in a domesticated state, were fed on cabbage leaves, turnips, 

 parsnips, potatoes, and sweet apples. During one very cold winter, when 

 these could not be conveniently obtained, they were frequently supplied 

 \vith clover-hay, to which, when more agreeable food was not given 

 them, they did not evince any aversion ; from time to time also, outer 

 branches of willow, poplar, or apple, trees, were thrown into their en- 

 closure, the bark of which, seemed to be greatly relished by them. 



The Northern Hare, like most others of the genus, seeks its food only 

 by night or in the early part of the evening. To this habit it is more ex- 

 clusively confined during autumn and winter, than in spring and summer. 

 In the latter seasons, especially in spring, these animals are frequently 

 observed in the morning, and as the sun is declining, in the afternoon, 

 cautiously proceeding along some solitary by-path of the forest. Two or 

 three may often be seen associated together, appearing full of activity and 

 playfulness. When disturbed on these occasions, they stamp on the ground, 

 making a noise so loud, that it can be heard at some distance, then hopping 

 a few yards into the thicket, they sit with ears erect, seemingly listening, 

 to ascertain whether they are pursued or not. This habit of thumping on 

 the earth, is common to most hares and rabbits. We have particularly 

 noticed it in the domesticated rabbit, (L. cuniculus) and in our common 

 gray rabbit. They are more particularly in the habit of doing it on moon- 

 light nights ; it is indicative either of fear or anger, and is a frequent ac- 

 tion among the males when they meet in combat. During cold weather, 



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