262 GNAWING ANIMALS 



brown rabbit, 7 inches long, but it is neither a rabbit nor a 

 hare, and represents an independent family. It lives high 

 up on the great mountain ranges of the West, from just 

 below timber-line up to the line of perpetual snow. It finds 

 shelter in the crevices of rugged masses of rock, and its sharp 

 little cries often seem to come from so many different points 

 that the hunter is completely confused. In form this strange 

 little creature is about half-way between a gray rabbit and 

 a guinea-pig; and it has neither speed nor activity. 



THE HARE AND RABBIT FAMILY 



Leporidae 



This group is very clearly subdivided, and there need be 

 no confusion of ideas regarding its North American members. 

 Nevertheless, early writers have made a confusing error in 

 the improper adoption, for one important group, of the mis- 

 leading name Jack "Rabbit." It should be Jack Hare. 



All the American members of this family are separated 

 into two general groups, the Hares and the Rabbits. The 

 accompanying diagram shows these subdivisions, and their 

 relations to each other. 



A typical Hare is big, long-eared, long-legged, and a swift 

 runner. Very often its color changes according to the sea- 

 son. It does not burrow, but rears its young in a nest or 

 "form." 



The Rabbit is small, short-eared, short-legged, a weak 

 runner for a long distance, its color is fairly constant, and it 

 lives in a burrow. 



