Nov., 1909. A PECULIAR BEAR FROM ALASKA OSGOOD. 3 



respect with those of black bears from the same region. That it has 

 been thought to be smaller than the black bear is explainable by the 

 probability that a majority of the skins thus far received are those of 

 females or young. Therefore, the only peculiarity of Ursus emmonsi 

 is its gray color, which it now appears is subject to marked variation. 

 As a specific character, this peculiarity might sooner have been 

 questioned if the animal were not a large game animal of much popu- 

 lar interest and one of which it is impossible to obtain large series of 

 specimens from single localities. Probably five hundred black bears 

 are killed on the coast of Alaska to one of the gray color representing 

 Ursus emmonsi. 



If occasional specimens showing divergence in color are found 

 among large series of a given species of small mammal, it is not un- 

 usual to regard them merely as examples of dichromatism. Especi- 

 ally is this the case if the species be one in which dichromatism is al- 

 ready known to occur. It is very significant in this connection that 

 the cinnamon phase so well known in other parts of the black bear's 

 range is unknown on the coast of Alaska. That a gray phase may 

 represent it there certainly is not impossible. Another interesting 

 factor in the case is the white bear of the coast of British Columbia, 

 called Ursus kermodei, which some regard as an albinotic phase of 

 Ursus americanus. Evidently there is an unusual instability in the 

 color of the small bears of the American northwest coast. Doubtless 

 extremely interesting results would be obtained if some of our zoologi- 

 cal parks should be so fortunate as to obtain living examples of these 

 bears and to successfully breed them in captivity. 



