LEPORIDA 493 
the ears and hind limbs. It is found in all parts of Europe except 
the north of Russia, the Scandinavian peninsula, and Ireland. Its 
fur is usually of 
a tawny gray 
colour above and 
white beneath, 
with the upper 
surface of the 
short tail and the 
tips of the ears 
black. The col- 
our of the fur 
differs, however, 
considerably in 
different lati 
tudes and at dif- 
ferent seasons of 
the year; show- 
ing a tendency Fic, 217.—The Common Hare (Lepus timidus). 
to become white ~ 
during winter in northern countries, while assuming a reddish- 
yellow hue in the more genial climate of southern Europe. The 
Hare isa nocturnal animal, remaining during the day on its “ form,” 
as the slight depression is called which it makes i in the open field, 
usually among grass. 
The Mountain Hare (L. variabilis) is found throughout the 
northern part of 
the Palearctic 
region, ranging 
from Ireland in 
the west to Japan 
in the east, and 
also occurring in 
several of the 
more southerly 
mountain ranges, 
such as the 
Pyrenees, the 
Alps, and the 
Caucasus. It is 
a Lo ees E ~ smaller than the 
WIGS eee eS common species, 
Fic. 218.—The Mountain Hare (Lepus variabilis). with a smaller 
and morerounded 
head, and shorter ears, tail, and hind limbs. In cold climates the 
colour of the whole animal changes in the winter to a pure white 
