154 MARSH-HARE. 



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 pe- 

 culiar structure, together with the power of spreading out its feet, and 

 thus increasing the space between each of its toes, that enables this quad- 

 ruped to swim with great ease and rapidity. Its track when observed 

 in moist or muddy situations differs very much from that of other species. 

 Its toes are spread out, each leaving a distinct impression like those of 

 the rat. Some of the habits of this Hare, differ greatly from those of 

 others of the genus ; it seeks the water, not only in order the easier to 

 escape from its pursuers, but when in sportive mood ; and a stranger in 

 Carolina should he accidentally see one amusing itself by swimming 

 about, if unacquainted with the habits of the animal, would be puzzled 

 by its manoeuvres. 



When the Marsh-Hare is startled by the approach of danger, instead 

 of directing its flight toward high grounds like the gray rabbit, it hastens 

 to the thickest part of the marsh, or plunges into some stream, 

 mill-pond, or " reserve," and very often stops and conceals itself where 

 the water is many feet deep, among the leaves of lilies or other aqua- 

 tic plants. 



After a heavy rain had produced a flood, which inundated some swamps 

 and rice-fields near us, we sallied forth to see what had become of the 

 Marsh-Hares, and on beating the bushes, we started many of them which 

 ran from their hiding places, plunged into the water, and swam off with 

 such rapidity that some escaped from an active Newfoimdland dog that 

 we had with us. Several of them, supposing they were unobserved, hid 

 themselves in the water, about fifteen yards from the shore, protruding 

 only their eyes and the point of their nose above the surface ; when thus 

 almost entirely under the muddy water, with their ears pressed back and 

 flat against their neck, they could scarcely be discovered. On touching 

 them with a stick they seemed unwilling to move until they perceived 

 that they were observed, when they swam off with great celerity. 



A few evenings afterwards when the waters had subsided and returned 

 to their ordinary channels, we saw a good many of these Hares swimming 

 in places where the water w^as seven or eight feet deep, meeting, or pur- 

 suing each other, as if in sport, and evidently enjoying themselves. 



When the gray-rabbit approaches the ■water, it generally goes around 

 or leaps over it, but the Marsh-Hare enters it readily and svv^ims across. 



We have on a few occasions seen this Hare, take to a hollow tree 

 when hard pressed by dogs, but (as we have just remarked) it usually 

 depends more for its safety, on reaching marshy places, ponds, or im- 

 penetrable thickets. 



