THE KANGAROO HARE. 375 



This little animal frequents the less open districts, and is very quick and lively in its 

 movements, whether it be indulging in its native gamesomeness or engaged in the search for 

 food. Roots of various kinds are the favorite diet of the Kangaroo Rat, and in order to obtain 

 these dainties the animal scratches them from the ground with the powerful claws of the fore- 

 feet. It is specially fond of potatoes, and often commits considerable havoc in a kitchen-garden 

 by exhuming and carrying away the seed-potatoes. In retaliation for these injuries the owner 

 of the garden sets traps about his potato-grounds, and by means of baiting them with the 

 coveted roots entices numbers of Potoroos into the treacherous snare. 



The movements of the Kangaroo Rats do not in the least resemble those of the Kangaroos 

 themselves, for although they can sit erect upon their hind-legs, they cannot make those 

 vigorous leaps which are so characteristic of the Kangaroos, nor can they manipulate their food 

 with their fore-paws and carry it to their mouth by means of those limbs. 



Their gait, especially when chased, is a very curious kind of gallop, very unequal, but 

 tolerably swift. 



The Kangaroo Rats are very timid and harmless animals, and when captured or attacked 

 do not kick or make any violent resistance, contenting themselves with expressing their indig- 

 nation by an angry hiss. 



Of the Kangaroo Rat several specimens have been brought alive to America and to Europe, 

 and it has been noticed that they enjoy the life of captivity just as well as that of freedom. 



They are not so exclusively nocturnal as many of the preceding animals, and seem to be 

 equally lively by day as by night. When the animal is sitting upon its hinder portions, the 

 tail receives part of the weight of the body, but is not used in the same manner as the tail of 

 the true Kangaroos, which, when they are moving slowly and leisurely along, are accustomed 

 to support the body on the tail, and to swing the hinder legs forward like a man swinging 

 himself upon crutches. 



Considerably larger than the preceding animal, the Kangaroo Hare may at once be 

 distinguished from it by the hair-covered muzzle which is a distinguishing mark of the gemis 

 Lagorchestes. 



The color of the coat is very like that of the common hare, but the fur is short, rather 

 hard, and slightly curled. The upper parts of the body are a mixture of black and cream, the 

 sides are tinged with a yellow hue, and the under parts are a grayish-white. The skin is 

 white. 



The fore-legs are black, and the fore-feet are variegated with black and white, the hinder 

 feet being of a brownish-white. A buff-colored ring surrounds the eye, and the back of the 

 neck is washed with yellow. It sometimes happens that a light rust-color takes the place of 

 the buff. The tail is of a very pale brownish -gray, like that of the hare. 



There is much variety in the tinting of different specimens of this animal, some being of a 

 much redder hue than others. 



The Kangaroo Hare inhabits the Liverpool Plains and the greater part of the interior of 

 Australia, to which region it seems to be limited, seldom, if ever, being seen nearer the sea. 



It has many hare-like traits of character, such as squatting closely to the ground in a 

 "form," and then sitting, in hopes of eluding notice, until it is roused to active exertion by 

 actual contact. When it once takes to flight, it runs with amazing celerity, and doubles 

 before the hounds in admirable style, not unfrequently making good its escape in the opposite 

 direction by a well-executed " doixble." 



Mr. Gould relates a curious incident that occurred to him while he was engaged in the 

 pursuit of a Kangaroo Hare, attended by two dogs. 



The hounds had pressed the animal closely, when it doubled before them, retraced its 

 course at full speed, making directly for Mr. Gould, who was following up his dogs. The 

 animal came within twenty yards without seeing him, and then, instead of turning aside, 

 leaped clear over his head. 



The total length of this animal is about two feet, the tail occupying about thirteen inches. 



The Kangaroo Hare is not able to dig after the manner of many of the preceding animals. 



