582 
U. S. P. R. R, EXP. AND SURVEYS-ZOOLOGY-GENERAL REPORT. 
The skull of this species is actually shorter than that of L. cuniculus, the domestic rabbit; 
it is, however, wider and larger in the cerebral portion ; the muzzle much shorter and higher, 
the nasals being shorter and considerably broader. The differences between the species are very 
great. 
This species, in summer dress, is readily distinguished from L. campestris by its prevailing 
tint of reddish brown, instead of gray, the black border on the posterior portion of the con¬ 
vexity of the ear, &c. In winter, the fur in L. americanus is lead color on its basal half; in 
L. campestris, pure white ; both have the median bar of reddish. In all seasons the tail and ears 
are much shorter ; the internal surface of the ears less densely furred and not so pure white ; 
the black in a narrow band on the posterior margin of the ear, instead of a terminal patch at 
the tip, &c. The size is every way less ; the difference particularly observable in the skulls. 
This hare is very abundant in the northeastern portions of the United States, and, according 
to Richardson, reaches as far north as latitude 68°. In the regions north of the Missouri plains 
it is replaced by the L. campestris, and on the northwest coast by the L. wasliingtonii. South¬ 
ward it is common as far as the northern counties of Pennsylvania, and extends along the 
Alleghany range into Virginia. It is not rare along the summit level of the Baltimore and 
Ohio railroad. 
Owing to its habit of keeping in thick tangled swamps, especially cedar swamps, this species 
is not so readily met with in localities even where it abounds as the small gray rabbit, L. 
sylvaticus. 
The synonymy of this species has been somewhat confused, but has been very admirably dis¬ 
entangled by Dr. Bachman in the several articles quoted above. Some remarks on his reference 
of Schreber’s article on L. nanus will be found under the head of L. sylvaticus. 
List of specimens. 
Measurements. 
Catalogue number. 
Corresp’ng No. of sk 
Sex and age. 
Locality. 
When col¬ 
lected. 
Whence and how ob¬ 
tained. 
Nature of spe¬ 
cimen. 
| Nose to eye. 
o 
| Nose to occip. I 
| Nose to tail. 
Tail to end of vert. | 
| Tail to end of hairs. 1 
| Fore foot, length. | 
Hind foot, length. 1 
| Skull, length. 
| Skull, width. 
2 
W 
250 
1202 
Quebec.. TtTt ... 
Aug. 1853.. 
S. F. Baird. 
Skin. 
3.33 
4.00 
20.00 
1.50 
2.25 
5.50 
3.00 
1073 
Nov. 27,1855 
J. W. P. Jenks^**^ 
3.75 21.00 
2.25 
5.15 
3.35 
1074 
o 
Dec. 8,1855 
18.50 
2.32 
4.85 
3.13 
1075 
Nov. 30,1855 
17.50 
4.57 
3.16 
1076 
Nov. 23,1855 
3.15 
17^50 
4.98 
3.05 
959 
2003 
s 
Oct. 23,1855 
.do. 
...do. 
18.50 
2.41 
5.20 
3.20 
1.55 
3.15 
960 
2004 
s 
Oct. 17,1855 
3.22 
17.00 
1.33 
2.23 
5.46 
3.16 
1.61 
3.30 
1072 
Dec. 2,1855 
4.90 
3.10 
1439 
A 
Dec. 24,1855 
May 7,1856 
20.00 
2.46 
5.10 
1440 
o 
A 
2.40 
4.92 
3.25 
1569 
2399 
o 
Essex county) N. Y.,,. 
Wmter....., 
Dr. S. E. Hale 
5.32 
3.20 
1.55 
2.70 
2400 
fjn. , 
Ha. 
.... 
849 
1906 
9 
Sept. 6,1855 
S. F. Baird. 
...do. 
18.00 
5.633.05 
3.60 
863 
1915 
o 0 
.do. 
Oct. 14,1855 
...do. 
1.33 
2.42 
10.50 
2.50 
3.662.50 
1.40 
3.17 
552 
1671 
u V 
o 
New York State. 
Winter. 
Market.. 
...do. 
21.00 
5.303.17: 
1.61 
3.60 
551 
1670 
V 
o 
2.00 
3.50 
4.00 
19.50 
1.33 
2.92 
3.40 
316 
1236 
V 
Dec. 1,1854 
3.15 
1.60 
481 
1605 
Feb. 2,1855 
.do. 
3.60 
18.00 
1.15 
2.25 
5.68 
3.25 
1.65 
3.38 
66 
969 
Northern Pennsylvania. 
dn . 
dn 
4.18 
19.00 
3.40 
67 
970 
4.00 
4.37 
22.00 
1.00 
1.75 
2.55 
5.50 
.... 
>3.40 
317 
1237 
3.52 
17.00 
4.58 
2.85 
1.49 
i ■ 
1 
