224 lepoeidjE. 



Hares are found thinly scattered over all the world, except in Australia 

 but are most abundant in the northern temperate zone. 



The habits of hares are well known ; their timidity, watchfulness, in- 

 creased by the situation of their eyes, which are so placed that they can 

 see all round, and their great speed. In some, as in hares, the young are 

 born with their eyes open ; in the rabbits with their eyes closed. There 

 are two well marked species of hare in India, and a third of a peculiar 

 type. 



207. Lepus ruficaudatus. 



Geoffhoy — Blyth, Cat. p. 131. — L. indimsKoA macrotus, Hodgson. — 

 Khargosh, H. — Kharra in Central India and part of Bengal. — Sasru, also 

 in Bengal. — Lamma, Hindi of some — Molol, of Gonds. 



The Common Indian Hare. 



Descr. — General hue rufescent mixed with blackish on the back and 

 head; ears brownish anteriorly, white at the base and the tip brown; 

 neck, breast, flanks and limbs, more or less dark sandy rufescent unmottled ; 

 nape pale sandy rufescent ; tail rufous above, white beneath ; upper Hp, 

 small eye mark, chin, throat, and lower parts, pure white. 



Length of one, head and body 20 inches ; tail with hair 4; ear externally 

 nearly 5 ; breadth of ear when expanded 2|. Weight rarely exceeds 5 fcs. 



This hare is found from the foot of the Himalayas southwards to the 

 Godavery river on the east, and on the west as far south as the Taptee 

 river at all events, perhaps further. It extends from the Punjab to Assam. 

 It is stated by the Eev. H. Baker also to occur in South Malabar along 

 with the next species, but no specimens appear to have been sent, and I 

 rather doubt its occurrence there. It is also supposed to extend into 

 Afghanistan, the skull of a hare from Kandahar being very similar to 

 that of our hare ; perhaps, however, Mr. Blyth suggests, that of a nearly 

 allied species. 



Haiis are very abundant in parts of the North-west Provinces, and ex- 

 cellent coursing is had near Delhi and especially in Hurriana. They are 

 less common in the Punjab. 



Both this and the next species take to earth readily when pursued, and 

 appear to be well acquainted with all the fox holes in their neighbourhood. 



