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nomenclature, states that Ross, on page 151, appendix 4, vol, 2, “Voyage 
of Discovery”, H.M.S. Isabella and Alexander, etc., applies the name Lepus 
arctieus, but that on page 170 of the same volume, the species is named 
Lepus glacialis by Leach. Kumlien (1879, p. 53) stated that the species 
was common in all suitable localities in Cumberland sound. Hanlzsch 
(1913, pp. 150-151) stated that during the winter of 1909-10, a number 
were taken in the vicinity of Blacklead island. In early June he found 
them to be common along the route to Nettilling lake. During the summer 
of 1910, he saw a few at the lake. At the end of October he frequently 
observed the species on higher rock land bordering Foxe basin far north of 
Koukjuak river. In early Decern ber, near Koukdjitariak river, hares 
were scarce and extremely shy, but in January they appeared to be a little 
more numerous, and in February a number were killed. Allen and Cope- 
land (1913, pp. 150-155) refer to twelve skulls of arctieus brought from 
Bowdoin harbour and vicinity. David Wark, Hudson’s Bay Company, 
told the present writer that in 1925 hares were fairly common about Amad- 
juak bay. In a letter dated March, 1926, Corporal F. Mclnnes, R.C.M.P., 
states that the Arctic hare occurs nearly everywhere in the districts adjacent 
to Ponds inlet. 
The Arctic hare appears to occur in greatest numbers in the mountain- 
ous regions and especially near the seacoast in sheltered valleys on whose 
southward-facing slopes the Arctic vegetation flourishes best. The species 
also occurs in regions of low relief, such as the hilly country which, with a 
general elevation of less than 300 feet, borders the eastern and northern 
shores of Nettilling lake, and extends west to Foxe basin. The Arctic hare 
throughout the year appears to shun low, flat country such as the plains 
west of Nettilling and Amadjuak lakes. The essential requirement is that 
the country be broken, so as to afford sheltered situations whereon vegeta- 
tion may flourish during the short summer, and acclivities and ridges 
which during the winter will be wind swept and comparatively free of 
snow, thus permitting the animals to reach the vegetation. During winter 
at least, the dwarf willows, Salix arclica and S. herbacea, and the crowberry, 
Empetrum nigrum, form the chief article of diet. 
One conspicuous trait of the species is invariably to run uphill, when 
disturbed. The animals are not confined to the valleys, but ascend to 
considerable heights. In 1924, trails were observed on mountain slopes 
up to heights of at least 1,500 feet. In October, 1924, the species was 
observed to be most common in rugged localities, between elevations of 
500 and 800 feet. On December 20, 1925, a fresh hare trail was noted at 
an elevation of 3,000 feet on the top of a mountain bordering Pangnirtung 
fiord. Sergeant Wight states that at Port Burwell the hare in winter is 
found at all altitudes up to at least 1,000 feet. It does not seem to be the 
case, as has been stated by various writers, that the Arctic hare comes 
down near the sea in winter, and retires to higher altitudes in the summer. 
The Arctic hare retains its white winter coat the greater part of the 
year. Though the summer is short in Baffin island, the species does pass 
into and out of a dark summer pelage in the course of a few weeks. That 
all individuals of arctieus effect this change has not been established. As 
Baffin island is 1,000 miles long, with a consequent marked difference in 
the climate of the two extremes, it is highly probable that the animals of 
the northern part and on Bylot island, tend to retain the winter pelage 
the year round, as is the case with Lepus groenlandicus on Devon 
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