FRIENDS OR FOES? 



is only when the creatures have been preserved by 

 artificial means for coursing purposes. 



The cry of the hare when caught is very startling, 

 almost human. The keepers make for the spot at 

 once if they hear it at night, for they are quite cer- 

 tain poaching is going on. 



There are three varieties of hares, the difference 

 being the result of food or climate — our common 

 hare, the Irish hare, and the Scotch or Alpine hare, 

 which turns white, like the ptarmigan, in winter. 



Like most game animals, the hare has been the 

 innocent cause of much trouble ; on that subject we 

 will not touch. One thing is certain, if laws had 

 not been made for the protection of our native wild 

 creatures, they would have been exterminated long 

 ago. The hare is one of our most interesting sylvan 

 creatures; he has his .wits about him, and, as I said 

 before, he needs them all. The young come into 

 the world with their eyes open, and begin to dot 

 about after their parents very quickly. 



The wild cat was common enough in England 

 when vast tracts of forest, moor, and fen existed. 

 Its name was used as a term of reproach and insult, 

 and formed a peg on which to hang some of our 



