“The teeth are yellowish-white; the eyes are dark brown, appearing in certain lights quite black. Upper parts of the head brown and greyish-ash. Around the orbits of the eyes slightly fawn-coloured. Whiskers black. Ears dark greyish-brown. The back and whole upper parts yellowish-brown, intermixed with many strong black hairs. The hairs, when examined singly, are bluish-grey at the roots, then light brown, and are tipped with black. The fur, beneath, is light plumbeous; under the chin grey; throat yellowish-brown; belly light grey, the fur beneath bluish. Under surface of the tail ash-colour, edged with brown. During winter the upper surface becomes considerably darker than in summer.
| Dimensions, taken from a specimen in the flesh: | ||
| Length, from point of nose to insertion of tail, | 13 | inches |
| Height, from the top of the fore-shoulder to the end of the middle claw | 7 | |
| Length of the head, | 3 | 1/2 |
| ..... ..... ears, | 2 | 1/2 |
| ..... ..... hind foot, | 3 | |
| ..... ..... tail (vertebræ), | 5/6 | |
| ..... ..... tail, including the fur, | 1 | 1/2 |
| Weight 2 1/2 lb. | ||
“I have not heard of the existence of this small species of Hare to the north of the State of South Carolina, nor is it found in the upper parts of this State,—confining itself to the maritime districts, to low marshy grounds partially inundated, to the borders of rivers subject to the overflowing of their banks, and to the ponds, usually termed reserves, where the waters intended to overflow the rice-fields are preserved. In these situations, rendered almost inaccessible on account of mud, entangled vines, and stagnant waters, sending up poisonous miasmata, the fruitful source of disease, surrounded by frogs, water-snakes, and alligators, this species resides through the whole year, scarcely molested by man. In these forbidden retreats, frequented by Herons (Ardea), Snake-birds (Plotus Anhinga), and Ibises, this almost aquatic quadruped finds a home suited to its habits; making up for its want of speed in eluding pursuit, by its facility in winding through miry pools and marshes overgrown with rank weeds and willows. In such situations, I have met with it fifty miles north of Charleston; but, as soon as the traveller arrives at the high grounds of the middle country, where the marshes disappear, this Hare is no longer seen. It is common in all the lower parts of Georgia, and I have observed it for sale in the market of Savannah. It is abundant in East Florida, even at its farthest southern extremity. I received a living animal of this species, taken on one of the islands near Indian Key, called Rabbit Key, separated from the main-land by several miles of sea; where it could have proceeded only by swimming, but where it is now found in great numbers. In all the low grounds of Florida, this species takes the place of the American Hare, which has not been observed in those situations.
“The Marsh Hare is one of the most singular in its habits of all the species. It runs low on the ground, and cannot be said to possess the fine leaping gait of the American Hare. It is so slow of foot, that nothing but the sheltered and miry situations in which it resides can save it from being easily overtaken and captured. I have, indeed, observed the domestics on a plantation, during a holiday, setting fire to a piece of marsh ground, in a very dry season, and armed with clubs, waiting till the flames drove these Hares from their retreats, when they were run down and killed in considerable numbers, I noticed that when the American Hare made its appearance it was suffered to pass, on account of the speed they knew it to possess, but no sooner did the Marsh Hare appear, than with a whoop, they gave chase, and seldom failed to overtake it.
“The feet of the Marsh Hare are admirably adapted to its aquatic habits. A thick covering of hair on its soles, like that on the other species, would be inconvenient; they would not only be kept wet for a considerable length of time, but would retard them in swimming. All quadrupeds that frequent the water, such as the Beaver, Otter, Muskrat, Mink, &c., and aquatic birds, have nearly naked palms; and it is this peculiar structure, together with the facility of distending its toes, that enables this quadruped to swim with such ease and rapidity. The track, when observed in moist or muddy situations, differs very much from that of the other species. Its toes are spread out, each leaving a distinct impression, like those of the rat.
“The Marsh Hare deposits its young in a pretty large nest, composed of a large species of rush (Juncus effusus) growing in a convenient situation. These appeared to have been cut into pieces of about a foot in length. I have seen these nests nearly surrounded by, and almost floating on, the water. They were generally arched, by carefully bending the rush-grass over them, admitting the mother by a pretty large hole in the side. A considerable quantity of hair was found lining the nest, but whether plucked out by the parent, or the effect of the season, (it being late in spring when these animals shed their coat) I was unable to ascertain. The young were from five to seven. They evidently breed several times in the season, but I have observed that the females usually produce their young two months later, at least, than the American Hare. Twenty-one specimens were obtained from the 9th to the 14th day of April; none of the females had produced young that season, although some of them would have done so in a very few days. On one occasion only, have I seen the young in March. These bear a strong resemblance to the adults, and may almost at a glance be distinguished from those of the last-mentioned species.
“This species possesses a strong marshy smell at all times, even when kept in confinement, and fed on the choicest food. Its flesh, however, although dark, is fully equal, if not superior, to that of the American Hare. The Marsh Hare never visits gardens or cultivated fields, confining itself throughout the year to the marshes. It is occasionally found in places overflown by salt or brackish water, but seems to prefer fresh-water marshes, where its food can be most conveniently obtained. It feeds on various grasses, gnaws off the twigs of the young sassafras, and of the pond spice (Laurus geniculata). I have seen many places in the low grounds dug up, the foot-prints indicating that it was the work of this species in search of roots. It frequently is found digging for the bulbs of the wild potato (Apios tuberosa), as also for those of a small species of Amaryllis (Amaryllis Atamasco).
“I possess a living animal of this species, which was sent me a few weeks ago, having been captured when full grown. It became so gentle in a few days that it freely took its food from the hand. It is fed on turnip and cabbage leaves, but prefers bread to any other food that has been offered to it. It is fond of lying for hours in a trough of water, and seems restless and uneasy when the trough is removed, scratching the sides of its tin cage until it has been replaced, when it immediately plunges in, burying the greater part of its body in the water.
“It has already shed a great portion of its summer, and resumed its winter, dress. The hairs on the upper surface, instead of becoming white at the point, as in the American Hare, have grown long and black, through which the brownish parts beneath are still distinctly visible.