432 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



NOTES AND QUERIES. 



MAMMALIA. 



Some Habits of South African Hares. — It seems to me that the 

 habits of South African examples of the Leporida are little known. 

 Although I do not know any special facts re the breeding habits of the 

 South African Hares, a few notes derived from my sporting experiences 

 may be welcome. 



With regard to Lepus capensis (the common " Vlakhaas," i. e. Flats' 

 Hare), Mr. W. L. Sclater, in his very valuable ' Handbook on South 

 African Mammals,' says : — " This Hare frequents uncultivated land 

 and flats covered with scattered bush ; it may often be seen at early 

 dawn and in the evening feeding on the grassy spots along the roads. 

 When pursued it will take refuge in the ground, if it is able to do so, 

 though it does not form a burrow of its own " ; . . . remarks with which 

 I concur. In addition to these localities, I have seen and shot this Hare 

 among the thick eucalyptus and fir-plantations on the Rand.* When 

 chased by Dogs they make off at first with the ears erect, giving curious 

 little skips and hops ; but as soon as they feel that the chase is going 

 to be a serious one, they lay the ears flat along the sides of the head 

 and neck, and run steadily ; they dodge and double splendidly, and 

 through this, coupled with their speed, afford good sport. The run- 

 ning powers of the Hare is often underrated ; my own experience is 

 that they afford good sport, although no doubt their speed is not on a 

 par with that of European Hares, and even here varies individually, as 

 with Horses and other animals. I have had runs of a distance varying 

 from half a mile to three miles and more with a pack of four pure 

 bred greyhounds and several half-bred animals. Times without 

 number I have lost the quarry through its taking to the earth in an 

 Ant-bear (" Aard-vark ") or Meerkat hole. This Hare makes delicious 

 eating, notwithstanding the statement so often made that it is a foul 

 feeder. This it may be at times, but I have not seen it yet myself. 



* Was common at and near Pretoria before the war, and generally to be 

 found at the back of the town, in a small stretch of thorn and other trees 

 near the then Boer Artillery Camp. It was there I shot my last Hare in the 

 Transvaal. — Ed. 



