THE AQUATIC HARE. 191 
My introduction to this animal I will relate. A little be- 
fore sunset, on a fine calm evening in March, I took my 
stand upon a bridge crossing a slough in the southern por- 
tion of Illinois, with the hope of killing a few wild ducks. 
The atmosphere was so clear and still that the birds were 
very late in visiting their feeding- ground. While impa- 
tiently trying to kill time, I saw something swimming in 
the water, and supposing it to be a common American 
musk-rat, and being desirous of a new tobacco-pouch, I, 
MUSQUASH, OR AMERICAN MUSK-RATS. 
well hid in the flags, stealthily stole along the margin of 
the water, to endeavor to obtain a closer shot, for the 
musk-rat requires a tremendous deal of killing. Having 
knocked over my game, in a few minutes my retriever laid 
it at my feet; but imaging my surprise when, instead of a 
rat, I found it to be a hare. I could scarcely believe my 
senses, but seeing is believing. Of course I thought that 
the poor creature had been driven to water to avoid a foe, 
but before many days I shot several, and all in similar 
