86 TEXT-BOOK OF ZOOLOGY 



(why specially at such times ?) makes its appearance often in truly 

 terrifying numbers, and wreaks immense damage. 



A closely-related species is the Water Rat, or Water Vole [A. am- 

 phibius), which is equally adept at swimming as at burrowing, and which 

 may inflict great damage by gnawing the roots of trees. 



Family 5 : Hares (Leporidae). 



The Hare {Lepus timidus). 



(Length up to about 30 inches ; height about 11 inches.) 



A. The Hare is a Much-persecuted Inhabitant of our Fields. 



It is much in demand on account of its excellent flesh. In the words 

 of a German rhyme, 



" Man, dog, wolf and lynx, 

 Cat and marten, weasel, fox, 

 Eagle, owl, raven, crow, 

 Every hawk that flies on high, 

 Nor must magpies be forgot — 

 All off him a meal would make. " 



With such a list of foes, it is almost to be wondered at that the hare 

 has not long since been exterminated, especially when we reflect that — 



1. It is an almost defenceless creature, that could seriously enter into 

 a combat with but few of the enemies in the above list. 



2. Living as it does in the op6n field, it is much more easily seen by 

 its enemies than if — like the rabbit, for instance — it lived in a hole or 

 burrow, though it does also resort to such cover as is to be found 

 in woods or bushes in the neighbourhood of the fields it frequents 

 (wood or bush hare). 



3. In consequence of this mode of life, it is much exposed to the 

 severity of the weather. In cold, wet weather large numbers of young 

 hares are apt to perish. 



B. Means of Protection against its Numerous Enemies. 



1. The hare becomes aware of its foe even before the latter comes 

 dangerously near. Though its sight and smell are feeble, the hearing 

 must be uncommonly acute, for the least noise — a rustling leaf, a lizard 

 slipping past, and the like — will arouse it from sleep. The large ears, 

 too, which are easily movable in all directions — see also Section 3 (a) — 

 point to the same fact. 



2. The colour of the fur so perfectly assimilates to that of the 

 ground that the hare is easily overlooked by its enemies. When it is 

 at rest in its " form," even a practised sportsman will frequently pass by 



