CLASS I. MAMMALIA: ORDER 7. RODENTIA. 
345 
state, especially in the color. Hence tlie early English settlers called it a rabbit, and though it is 
in fact a hare, it is popularly called a rabbit to this day. It is a little smaller and more slender than 
the L. cuniculus ; the fur is soft, the color in summer yellowish-broAvn, the tips of the hair, in some 
instances, though not generally, becoming white, and giving the animal a more grayish appear- 
ance, in winter. The length of the head and body is fifteen inches ; weight two pounds and a 
half to three pounds. It lives in woods and forests, and in the thickets bordering irpon cultivated 
grounds. Sometimes it visits the farms and plantations, and makes free with the peas, lettuces, 
and cabbages of the garden. It generally remains in its form by day, and makes its excursions 
in quest of food by night. 
When first started, it runs with great swiftness, but soon seeks shelter in a stone wall, a hole 
in a tree, or an opening beneath the rocks. If pursued, it makes occasional doublings, and often 
stops and rises on its hind-legs, and listens and looks around. It has the common habit of the 
hares of stamping at night with its feet on the ground, when it is alarmed or when the males are 
fighting. It has no calling- note, but sometimes utters a wild shriek when wounded or when 
captured. It is a prolific species, producing young three times in the season, and from five to 
seven at a time. It does not make burrows for itself, but sometimes, in case of pursuit, takes 
refuge in the burrows of other animals. Occasionally it is said to go into the retreat of a 
skunk ; but if that personage be at home, the hare pays with his life for the intrusion. 
The enemies of this timid creature are numerous ; the ermine and weasel destroy it by thou- 
sands ; the lynxes, the foxes, the hawks, the owls, the rattlesnake, the chicken-snake, and other 
serpents, prey npon it by hundreds of thousands. But man is its greatest destroyer. During 
the winter season the markets of the larger towns of the United States are strung with it in 
abundance. It is frequently taken in box-traps and in snares, and is also hunted with and with- 
out dogs. 
This animal is Avell knoAvn in the United States, from Maine to Georgia, and westward to the 
Rocky Mountains : in general it is not abundant, but in certain localities it is found in great 
numbers. 
The Northern Hare, L. Americanus, the L. Virginianus of some authors, varies in size and 
color, but is usually about twenty inches in length, and commonly weighs five or six pounds. 
In summer it is reddish-brown, a color which it retains till about JSTovember, when it gradually 
changes in high northern latitudes, becoming nearly pure white. In the region of Kew York it 
retains a tinge of reddish-brown. The summer dress is assumed about the month of April. 
When hunted, this hare relies upon its speed and doublings for escape It avoids open grounds, 
and resides among thickets, never taking to holes and burrows for refuge, like the gray rabbit. 
It runs easily upon the snow, being supported by its broad furred: feet. It seldom ventures into 
cultivated grounds, but feeds on tender grasses, and the bark,, leaves, and buds of small shrubs. 
It reposes during the day, and goes forth at night ; in summer, however, it may occasionally be 
seen abroad in the solitary paths of the forest. Sometimes two or three may be seen together, 
manifesting a social and playful humor. It has the practice of thumping on the earth, when in 
fear or danger, as noticed in respect to other species. The period of gestation is about six weeks, 
and three or four litters are produced in a- season. When captured, it does not, like the gray 
rabbit, yield without resistance to its fate, but bites and scratches vigorously. 
As an article of food, this hare is not greatly prized ; the fur is rather rough, and the skin, 
being exceedingly tender, is not easily procured. The pelt is not of much value : the hind-feet, 
however, are used as hair-brushes. This is decidedly a northern species, being found along the 
eastern portion of our continent from Hudson's Bay to Virginia. It is, however, much less 
abundant than the gray rabbit. 
The Polar Hare, or Rekalek, L. glacialis. — This species is somewhat larger than the common 
hare of Europe,, being about twenty-six inches long, and weighing from seven to twelve pounds ; 
its color is light gray or brown in summer, and white in winter ; the tips of the ears always remain- 
ing black. It is found entirely across the American continent, from Labrador north to the- 
desolate waters beyond the reach of man. Living where all other food, vegetable and animal, is 
wanting, it often afli"ords temporary subsistance to the wandering Esquimaux or the lonely adven- 
VoL. I.— 44 
