194 CALIFORNIA MAMMALS. 



more depressed ; condylar and angular processes of lower jaw nar- 

 rower. 



Length about 305 mm. ( 12 inches) ; tail vertebrae 36 (1.40) ; 

 hind foot 72 (2.85) ; ear from' crown 70 (2.75). 



Type locality, San Fernando, Los Angeles County, Cali- 

 fornia. 



Southwestern California and northwestern Lower California. 

 The Brush Hares inhabit thick brush, seldom^ venturing into open 

 ground and rarely entering forests. The vast thickets of brush 

 covering so much of the hillsides of California, and known locally 

 as 'chapparal,' or more properly, 'chemisal,' forms their homes. 

 They are very timid and are difficult to shoot because of their 

 pertinacity in remaining in the shelter of the brush. In other re- 

 spects their habits are similar to those of the Wood Hares. 



In my notes I find records of two' females each containing 

 three foetuses, March third and fourth respectively, and one with 

 live, April seventh. Probably two litters are the rule. This Hare 

 is well known to local hunters under the names of Brush Rabbit 

 and Blue Rabbit, the latter name being given because of their 

 bluish appearance at a little distance as compared with the Audu- 

 bon Wood Hare. 



Subgenus Brachylagus. 



Skull short, deep; audital bullae large; rostrum small; ex- 

 tremities of suj5raorbital processes free; ears, legs and tail short; 

 size very small. 



Lepus idahoensis Merriam. (Of Idaho.) 



IDAHO HARE. 



Winter pelage; above clear drab gray slightly mixed with 

 black hairs; ears pale buff inside, dull huffy ochraceous mixed 

 with gray and black tipped hairs outside and bordered in front 

 with a blackish line; nape and feet dull ochraceous buff; breast 

 grayish buff; belly whitish along the middle line only. Summer 



