940 The Gray Rabbit ( Lepus sylvaticns). [December, 



the species, Lepus bairdii. The animal seemed limited to that 

 small Alpine territory. But one specimen was secured, and no 

 more was heard of this hare until 1872, when Dr. Hayden and 

 party were in that region in the months of August and Septem- 

 ber. At this time five specimens were obtained by Mr. C. Hart 

 Merriam, the naturalist to the Hayden Survey; of these, four 

 were adult males, and all had large teats and udders full of milk. 

 The hair around the nipples was wet and stuck to them, showing 

 that they had just been suckling their young. To make all cer- 

 tain, resort was had to dissection, when the sex was demonstrated. 

 Not only did Mr. Merriam make dissection, but also Dr. Josiah 

 Curtis, a naturalist of the U. S. Geol. Survey, with the same 

 result. In the face of such testimony disbelief would seem dis- 

 courtesy. This hare is doubtless an Alpine form, says Allen, 

 "inhabiting the snowy summits of the high portions of the 

 Rocky mountains." It has been found as far south as New 

 Mexico. In winter its entire dress is white ; but in summer the 

 pelage generally is dark plumbeous, like that of the house mouse, 

 " the feet are wholly white." If not in exquisite taste, it cer- 

 tainly is peculiar — for white satin shoes can hardly look well on 

 large splay feet. It is a pity that as yet nothing has been learned 

 of the female. We want to know more of their family matters. 

 How much of this nursing is done by the mother ; or does she 

 relegate all to the obliging father ; or are there two broods to be 

 suckled, the first being unweaned when the second one arrives ? 

 In the rigor of their mountain home do the leverets need longer 

 nourishing than their little cousins in the plains? The larger 

 rodent, the beaver, allows two litters in the lodge, but the first 

 litter is supposed to be weaned. If a long suckling of the little 

 hares is necessary, so that one litter is not weaned before the 

 other comes, it would be interesting to know if two nests are 

 occupied, the older litter being left for the father to finish their 

 bringing up. The wood-hare east is polygamous. It is hardly 

 supposable that Baird's hare is so too, as that would make his 

 duties as wet-nurse somewhat exacting. If then he is the one 



that can be said for his loose kinsman in the east. But we need 

 more light. 



The striking out of the hind limbs of an adult rabbit with the 

 claws distended, has often proved more than a match for a cat. 



