Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 09.djvu/616

* HARE. 560 HARE. widely distributed wliite-bellipd animal with lono ears, occurring in the Great Basin, and commonly known as the Texan jack-rabbit {Lepus 'I'tx- unus) ; and (4) the tall black-cared jack of the Great Plains (Lepus mclavotis) . It is doubtful whether any real distinction exists between the two last named, and the jack-rabbit of the south- ern plains may be said to extend westwardly to the Pacific Coast. These hares of the i)lains do not burrow, nor seek the protection of holes or shelter of any kind, beyond that afforded by a thicket of brush which may shield them from the winter's wind or the equally dreaded rays of the midsummer sun. Some dwell in a region where the winter temperature may fall as low as 50° F. below zero; others where the noonday sun heats the air to 140° and makes the rocks unbearable to touch; some in rich valleys, others on the sourest of deserts; yet all thrive with that remarkable adaptability to var3-ing conditions which nuist be reckoned with in any consideration of these animals as a pest. Their food consists of grass, herbage, and largely of bark. It is difficult to find anj' considerable extent of country which does not supply enough of this fodder for a );opulation of hares, and as they drink but little, they do not sutTer from the lack of water even in an almost desert land, for the moisture in the ordinary desert herbage seems to be all they require. They have comparatively few enemies, against which they are guarded by their invisi- bility when crouched in their 'forms' ; by their senses of sight and smell; and by the remarkable acuteness of their hearing, for the augmentation of which the great ears have been developed. If danger comes too near they can usually es- cape it by flight — a word that approaches literal accuracy as a description of the series of high bounds, each 15 to 20 feet in length, with which their great hind legs carry them over the ground. They multiply rapidly, yet are not so fecund as is frequently alleged. Those in the arid Southwest seem to produce only one to three at a birth, but have several broods a year, between January and September; while the Northern species breed no more than twice, as a rule, with four to six young in a litter. Most births fall in April, May, and June. The period of gestation is about thirty days. The young are born fully furred, with their eyes open, and often with several teeth in sight. They attain their full size (but not weight) in about two months. It will be seen that at this rate of increase, tmder such favorable conditions as are brought about in the West by irrigation, agri- culture, and the diminution of serpents and birds and beasts of prey, the danger from an over-population of hares is very great; and for many years this has been a serious pest. Large stuns have been spent on 'rabbit-proof fences, and on variotis devices for excltiding the animals from fields and orchards; and still larger losses have occurred throtigh the absence or failure of protection. The principal measure has been that of the periodical "drive.' All the men and boys and many women and girls of a given district gather in a circle about a square mile or more of space, and drive the hares into an inclosure. where they are slaughtered with clubs. These battues have been most numerous, systematic, and etfective in southern California, though oc- casional wherever the necessity arises, and in the San Joaquin 'alley have so reduced the hares that they are no longer dangerous. Students of the problem have concluded, however, that "driv- ing' is only a partial and a demoralizing remedy; and assert that the only true safety for crops and orchards lies in the rabbit-proof fence. A complete discussion of this matter, with its history, statistics, and teachings, together with nuich information as to the utilization of the American liares as food and for their skins, hair, etc., may be found in Palmer, The JackRabhits of the United htiiles (Department of Agriculture, Washington, 1890) ; Beddard. Mammalia (Lon- don, 1902). Wood-Habes. Of the smaller hares, the wood- hare or 'cottontail' (Lepus syhaticus) is the 'common rabbit' of the United vStates, where it is scattered from the Atlantic to the Pacific, but docs not extend far north. It is about 18 inches long, gray, more or less varied with black above, and somewhat tinged with yellowish brown; white below; tail cottony white; ears two-thirds the length of the head. Tlie little marsh-hare (Lepus palustris), whose tail is not grayish nor cottony, and the water-hare or 'swamp-rabbit,' are familiar Southern species, the latter large and yellowish brown, white below. Consult Audubon and Bachman, Quadrupeds of North America (New York, 1856) ; Stone and Cram, American Animals (New York, 1902) ; Sharp, Wild Life Near Uome (New York, 1901) ; Thompson, Wild Animals I Have Known (New York, 1898). See Rabbit; Pika; and Plato of Hares and PlKA. Hare Kangaroo. One of the small banded walliibies (q.v. ) of the genus Lagostrophus, which resemble hares, and have habits singularly like that animal's. They inhabit swampy districts on the west coast of Australia, and make refuges for themselves by forming tunnels through the dense scrub, biting away twigs and branches until a clear passage and chamber are formed. H.RE. In point of law. one of the wild ani- mals called game, which are specially protected by game laws. The close season for hares is regu- lated in this country by State legislation. See Game Laws. HARE, ArousTus John Cuthbert (1834- 190;i). An English author, the nephew of Julius and Augustus Hare. He was born in Rome, and educated at Harrow and at University College, Oxford. The results of his travels he has given in guide books and other works of the highest value. Among them are: Walks in Rome (1870) ; Cities of Northern and Central Itahj (1875); lT'a/7:s in London (1877); Cities of f^outhern Itahf and Sieih/ (1882). His fitory of My Life (6 vols., 189G-1900) is full of delightful reminis- cences of many celebrated people; and his Me- moriuls of a Quiet Life (1872-76) is a charming biography of his aunt and tmcles. To him we are also indebted for the only good life of Maria Edgeworth (1894). HARE, Augustus William (1792-1834). An English clergyman, brother of .Julius Charles Hare. He was born in Rome, and was educated at Winchester and New College. Oxford, where he attacked several ancient customs, and became founder of the Attic Society. He had been adopted (1798) by the widow of Sir William Jones, his godfather, but broke with her because