minor._

FIG. 27. _Sylvilagus floridanus mearnsi._

FIG. 28. _Sylvilagus aquaticus aquaticus._

FIG. 29. _Sylvilagus cunicularius cunicularius._

[Illustration: FIGS. 30-34. Lateral views of skulls of rabbits. All x 1.
Different views of these skulls are shown in figs. 10-15.]

FIG. 30. _Romerolagus diazi._

FIG. 31. _Sylvilagus idahoensis._

FIG. 32. _Sylvilagus brasiliensis truei._

FIG. 33. _Sylvilagus bachmani macrorhinus._

FIG. 34. _Sylvilagus nuttallii grangeri._

[Illustration: FIGS. 35-38. Lateral views of skulls of rabbits. All x 1.
Different views of these skulls are shown in figs. 16-19.]

FIG. 35. _Sylvilagus audubonii minor._

FIG. 36. _Sylvilagus floridanus mearnsi._

FIG. 37. _Sylvilagus aquaticus aquaticus._

FIG. 38. _Sylvilagus cunicularius cunicularius._

=Sylvilagus floridanus=

Florida Cottontail

Total length, 375-463; tail, 39-65; hind foot, 87-104; ear from notch
(dry), 49-68; upper parts brownish or grayish; underside of tail white;
skull with transversely thick posterior extension of supraorbital
process of frontal. The geographic range is the largest of all of the
North American species of the genus _Sylvilagus_; from Canada the
species occurs south at least to Costa Rica and it may occur in Panam['a]
for the species is recorded also from South America.

In the western part of the Great Plains this species is confined to the
riparian growth along streams and _Sylvilagus audubonii_ occupies the
remainder of the terrain. In New Mexico and southwestern Texas _S.
floridanus_ is confined to the boreal life-zones where timber provides
denser cover than is found in the lower life-zones. The zonal range is
from the Canadian Life-zone into the Tropical Life-zone. It is not
surprising, therefore, that there is much geographic variation in the
shape and size of the skull. There is so much geographic variation in
the skull that it is impossible, at this writing at least, to frame a
description that will enable the reader to distinguish the skull from
those of all other species of the genus. In any given area, however, it
is possible, easily and certainly, to distinguish the skulls of _S.
floridanus_ from those of the other species which occur in that area.

SYLVILAGUS FLORIDANUS ALACER (Bangs).

1896. _Lepus sylvaticus alacer_ Bangs, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington,
10:136, December 28, type from Stilwell, Boston Mountains, A