62 
island. That this is so, even as far south as Cumberland sound, appears 
from the notes of Kumlien (1879, pp. 53-54), who says, “Many do not 
undergo any change of colour during the summer, and I doubt if it be more 
than partial change with any. I have seen pure white specimens during 
all the summer months, and occasionally one about half-grey”. The 
latest dates on which the writer observed hares in the white pelage were 
June 20, in the case of an individual sighted at Nettilling lake, and June 
24 on Fox islands on the south coast. The earliest autumn specimen in 
white was taken near Blacklead island on August 31. No hares in winter 
pelage were seen between these dates. 
A specimen (No. 6018 c? 1 ) shot at Nettilling lake on June 3, although 
outwardly in winter coat, had, over the dorsal region, the brownish grey 
pelage of summer, a half inch long, under the wdiite fur. A large patch of 
the winter fur had been shed on one side. A hare observed in the same 
locality on June 14, had a greyish brown streak down the back of each ear, 
and another hare seen on July 10 was bluish grey over the entire back, 
with whitish legs. An individual observed through the glasses at Sir- 
milling bay, Issortukdjuak fiord, on July 31, 1924, was a bluish, or slaty 
grey, over the back, but still with white legs and tail. On June 12, 1910, 
at Nettilling lake, Hantzsch (1913, p. 150) says that the summer pelage 
was just beginning to be visible. A specimen taken showed the grey, 
short summer coat on the hind back—otherwise it was still white. Two 
individuals taken on June 19 were changing colour, but in the main still 
white. 
The young of arcticus are evidently born in late June or early July. 
Unfortunately, no precise data are available. J. C. Ross (1835, p. XVI) 
states, “A female killed by one of our party at Sheriff harbour (Boothia 
peninsula), on the 7th of June, had four young in utero, perfectly mature, 
5| inches long, and of a dark grey colour. In one shot by us in Igloolik, 
on the 2nd of June, six young were found, not quite so far advanced.” 
On June 19, 1910, at Nettilling lake, Hantzsch (1913, p. 150) collected two 
adult females in which were four embryos, which he stated were nearly 
ready for birth. 
Measurements of Lepus arcticus arcticus 
No. 
Date 
Locality 
Sex 
Length 
Tail 
Foot 
Weight 
5535 
Aug. 30, 1924. . 
Blacklead island 
9 
Mm. 
535 
Mm. 
38 
Mm. 
153 
Lbs. 
6 
5681 
Sept. 10, 1924.. 
Pangnirtung fiord 
9 
663 
39 
166 
6* 
5682 
Sept. 13, 1924.. 
Pangnirtung fiord 
d” 
561 
39 
155 
6 
5683 
Sept. 13, 1924.. 
Pangnirtung fiord 
9? 
586 
38 
152 
7 
5684 
Sept. 15, 1924. . 
Pangnirtung fiord 
9 
520 
35 
145 
6 
5685 
Sept. 15, 1924.. 
Pangnirtung fiord 
9 
560 
34 
162 
6 
5686 
Sept. 15, 1924.. 
Pangnirtung fiord 
? 
590 
36 
170 
6| 
5687 
Sept. 15, 1924.. 
Pangnirtung fiord 
9 
610 
37 
165 
7 
5700 
Oct. 4, 1924. . 
Pangnirtung fiord 
9 
.545 
25 
160 
6018 
June 3, 1925. . 
Nettilling lake 
d 1 
560 
50 
154 
6078 
Oct. 22, 1925.. 
Pangnirtung fiord 
9 
330 
43 
152 
Seven other specimens weighed respectively, 5, 7, 6^, 6|, 6, 63, 
and 6 1 pounds. Thus the average weight of fifteen individuals of arcticus 
from Baffin island is 6| pounds. The heaviest specimens weigh 7 pounds 
and are much lighter than groenlandicus , which reaches as much as 12 to 
