160 



1867, 224 (in part only).— Allen, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., i, 1869, 

 237.— Hall, Can Nat. and GeoL, vi, 1861, 306. 

 1877. Lepus americanus var. virginianus, Allen, Mon. N. A. Rodentia, 

 1877, 304. 

 Distribution and Varieties.- — Lepus americanus is found throughout the 

 wooded portion of the northern half of North America, its southern limit 

 corresponding very nearly to the isothermal line of 50°. It is found in 

 four well marked geographical varieties. Var. americanus is found in the 

 more arctic regions of the continent, and shades imperceptibly into the 

 three more southern forms. Var. bairdi is an alpine form, found in the 

 Rocky Mountains. Var. washingtoni is from the region about Puget's 

 Sound. Var. virginianus is found in eastern North America, from Minne- 

 sota through the northern tier of States, south to Connecticut, and in 

 the Allegheny Mountains to Pennsylvania and even Virginia. 



Habits. — The Varying Hare frequents dense woodland, being seldom or 

 never found in open country. It trusts to fleetness with more confidence 

 when pursued than does the Gray Rabbit, and never seeks shelter in 

 holes or stumps.' It is often known to escape from pursuing dogs, and 

 when captured resists by kicking and biting. It probably has but one 

 litter in a season. Otherwise its habits do not particularly differ from 

 the Gray Rabbit. 



Description.-^Lenth of body averaging a little over 18 inches ; hind foot 

 about 5J inches ; ear a little over 3 inches ; weight about 6J pounds. 



Var. virginianus diSera in color from var. americanus, as might be ex- 

 pected from its more southern range. The former, in summer, on the 

 upper and outer surface is pale yellowish-brown, varied with black, 

 giving to it a dark umber-brown appearance.. On the under surface, the 

 breast and neck are yellowish-brown, chin, throat, and other under parts, 

 white. Ears yellowish-brown mixed with black; apical fourth of ante- 

 rior border black; posterior border white or yellowish. Inioinler, white, 

 except the extreme tips of the ears, which are narrowly tipped with 

 black. 



Var. virginianus, in summer, is more rufous than Var. americanus, the 

 general color above being a rich reddish-brown or einnamon- brown. In 

 winter, the seasonal change is less complete and is worn for a shorter 



time. 



The references and synonomy above given apply to var.' virginianus. 



In Ohio it is found only in the north-eastern portion, being confined 

 to those counties known as the Western Reserve, which are embraced in 

 the AUeghenian fauna. Of its occurrence there I am informed by Dr. 

 Wheaton, who states that it is never common, but that he was informed 



