THE LIFE OF MAMMALS 
natural processes. Thus far no notable changes have taken place in these 
colonial rabbits; but elsewhere, e.g. in Malta, special local varieties have 
SOUTHWESTERN JACK RABBIT AND KANGAROO MOUSE. 
arisen from the imported stock, upon which Darwin has discoursed at 
length in illustration of his opinion that variations are often due to altered 
environment. 
Returning to the hares, not much need be said as to partic- 
ular species. All dwell either in open grassy country or else 
among rocks and bushes. They do not flock, nor 
make any sort of shelter, but each inhabits a cer- 
tain small district, where it makes a smooth resting place 
called its “form.” To this it will return day after day for a 
long time unless frightened; and in such a form the young 
are born and are left concealed, when still in the suckling age, 
under a cover of leaves and vines, or even of fur plucked by 
the mother from her own loose coat and felted into a sort of 
blanket. They seek no better shelter than this in winter, 
except that some, as our common little cottontail, will creep into 
410 
Hares. 
