142 
MINUTE HARE, 
instinct, under some bush, lest their dwelling* 
should be discovered by their enemies among the 
animal creation* 
It is their voice alone that betrays their abode. 
Their cry is like the piping of a quail, but deeper ; 
and so loud as to be heard at the distance of half 
a German mile. It is repeated by just intervals, 
thrice, four times, and often six. This cry is emit- 
ted at night, and in the morning ; but seldom m 
the day, except in rainy or cloudy -weather* It is 
common to both sexes ; but the female is silent for 
some time after parturition, which happens about 
the beginning of May. She brings forth six at a 
time, blind and naked ; she suckles them often, and 
covers them carefully with fc the materials of her 
nest. 
These most harmless and inoffensive creatures 
never go far from their holes. They feed, and 
make their little excursions by night ; drink often, 
sleep little, and are easily made tame. They will 
scarcely bite when handled ; yet the males have 
been observed, when in confinement, to attack each 
other, and to express their anger by a grunting 
noise. 
Minute hare. 
This is by far the smallest of this genus, scarce 
exceeding the meadow mouse in size. It is a na- 
tive of Chili, where it is said to be much esteemed 
as a delicate food, and is often kept in a domestic 
state. The body is of a conoid shape ; the ears small, 
pointed, and covered with hair ; the nose long ; 
the fail so short, as to be scarcely visible. This 
animal varies in colour, (at least when in a domes- 
tic state,) being either brown, white, or spotted. 
It produces about eight young at a time, and is said 
to breed almost every month. No figure of this 
