26 LEPORID^. 



{Lepus Americanus), though one of those generally de- 

 nominated throughout the country a "rabbit," is in its 

 habits and anatomy a true hare, and presents the follow- 

 ing very distinctive characteristics of the species : — its 

 legs are much longer than those of the common rabbit; 

 there is a greater disproportion between the length 

 of the fore and hind legs ; and the eye is yelloAv. 



In summer its general colour is a yellowish-brown, 

 darker along the back and on the crown of the head; 

 the throat and under parts are white, the sides of the 

 muzzle are greyish, and there is a light patch or circle 

 round the eye; the ears being tipped Avith black, which 

 also extends down their edges. On close examination 

 it will be found that the greater part of the hair is of 

 three colours, viz., grey at the roots, brown in the 

 middle, and very dark at the extreme points. The tail 

 is white underneath and brown above. 



The winter coat is rather longer than the summer 

 one, and, with the exception of the ears, which remain 

 unchanged, presents a uniform white appearance ; though 

 on blowing aside the fur it Avill be seen that the change 

 goes no further than the surface, the grey roots and yel- 

 lowish-brown centre remaining as in summer. In this 

 respect it differs from the Polar-hare, the finer and 

 softer fur of which is in winter pure white to the 

 roots. 



