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 afraid 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 from 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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