Quadrupeds, What They Are and Where Found: A Book of Zoology for BoysReid, Mayne
Science
Quadrupeds, What They Are and Where Found: A Book of Zoology for Boys
Reid, Mayne
Mammals
The Polar Hare, valued for its beautiful white fur, inhabits the
countries around the Arctic Ocean, and is common in Labrador and the
Hudson's Bay territory. In North America, also, there are several other
species of hares: the Marsh, or Swamp Hare, of the Southern United
States, which dwells among the extensive marshes of the Carolinas and
Louisiana, and which freely takes to the water; the Rabbit of the Middle
States, which is a true hare, though from its small size usually termed
a rabbit; the Californian Hare, indigenous to California, and also
another Marsh Hare, belonging to the same country. Upon the prairies
several distinct species have lately been discovered, among which the
Sage Hare deserves especial mention. This kind derives its name from
its being a dweller on the desert plains, where scarce any other
vegetation exists except the _artemisia_, or wild sage plant, the leaves
of which constitute the principal food of the animal, rendering its
flesh almost uneatable.
The _Calling Hares_ differ very much from the common hares and rabbits--
so much as to constitute a separate genus. Their ears are shorter, and
they are altogether without tails. Their habits, however, are very
similar to those of the hare family, and they are therefore very
naturally grouped with the latter. They derive their trivial name from
the habit of uttering a note, which somewhat resembles the piping of a
quail, and which can be heard at a very great distance. This note is
repeated three or four times at night and morning, but is seldom heard
during the middle of the day, unless when the weather is cloudy.
The calling hares are distributed over Asia and North America. At least
two species belong to the Himalayan country, and one is found in Cabul.
In Siberia and Northern Russia there is another, called the Eadajac; and
several species inhabit the northern countries of America--some so small
as scarcely to exceed the dimensions of a rat! The Little Chief is one
of these tiny creatures long known; but late explorers of the Rocky
Mountain regions have discovered a species still smaller than the little
chief.
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