Food Selection by Brown Hares (Lepus capensis) on Cereal and Turnip Crops in North-East Scotland

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Abstract
In plots of oats and barley brown hares grazed much more heavily on the outer rows, alongside the space between the plots, then on inner rows. On barley plots treated with 0.25, 50, 75 and 100 units of N/acre (0.40 ha) there was a negative correlation between N and the amount grazed. This was absent or could not be detected when grazing was light. Turnips in plots at the outer edge of a block of plots alongside a clear space were more heavily damaged than elsewhere, regardless of variety. Of 7 varieties of turnip the same 2 were preferred on different farms in successive years and the same 2 selected against. These choices were not correlated with nutrient content.