THE COMMON HARE 



They make no underground burrow, their shelter known as a * form ' 

 being merely a lair to rest in during the daytime, generally situated in 

 the shade in summer or in some sunny spot in winter. 



Trusting to their protective colouring. Hares will often sit so tight 

 in their hiding place that they may be almost trodden on. 



Towards evening they come forth to feed on the grasses, clover, 

 young corn and the various kinds of herbs which make up their diet. 

 Carrots, turnips, and other vegetables growing in fields and gardens are 

 also attacked, and often in hard winters the bark of young trees is 

 eaten. 



The speed at which this animal can travel when hard pressed is 

 astonishing, its highest having been estimated at some thirty miles an 

 hour. If chased it generally runs uphill to gain the benefit of the 

 long hind legs. 



The Hare is a good swimmer and will cross wide rivers to get 

 access to some favourite feeding ground or to escape an enemy. 



In one of the severe winters about 1880 I once observed a Hare, 

 when chased by a Collie dog, boldly enter the freezing water of the 

 River Tweed. After crossing, at full speed, a broad stretch of ice 

 along the banks, it plunged in where the current kept the water 

 partly clear from ice and where the dog was afi^id to follow. Cross- 

 ing the stream the Hare attempted without success to climb the 

 ice on the farther side, but after struggling for a time, was compelled 

 to return, and I was unable to see what eventually happened as it made 

 for a point lower down the river where it was lost to view. 



The Hare produces fi-om two to five young at a time and may breed 

 at any time of the year, though February and March are the usual 

 courting months, when the bucks fight savagely for possession of the 



does. 



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