Pet Forum / Mammals / Rabbits / July 2008

From an illuminated manuscript on display at the Morgan Library, on the
Medieval hunt:

http://www.themorgan.org/collections/swf/exhibOnline.asp?id=807

It's gorgeous, and it's fun to use the zoom feature to get closer, move
around the picture, and see the details.

Clicking the "About this Page" link produces this text:

"The Hare

"Hares lived in droves of five or six and, having spent the day
sleeping, would leave their abodes at sunset for pastures of wild thyme,
mint, and clover. They would mate year-round, and the female would
usually give birth to two leverets, but could have up to six. The
ability of dogs tracking hares was severely tested because hares' tracks
crisscrossed, their ears were sensitive to the slightest sound, and
their quivering noses were quick to detect suspect scents. The hare was
frequently depicted in the margins of medieval manuscripts as part of
the world upside-down theme, whereby he would become the hunter—blowing
a horn, chasing a hound or wolf, or even hunting a man.

Gaston Phoebus (1331–1391)
Le Livre de la chasse, in French
France, Paris, ca. 1407"