Tl)c Adirondacl^ ^tacl^ 5^ar. 



Bv GEORGE CHAHOON. 



T' 



HE Bear family is large, widely 

 distributed, and contains about 

 fifteen species. They are classed 

 by the naturalists among the Carniv- 

 ora ; but they are really omnivorous, 

 feeding more largely on vegetable than 

 animal food. They are considered 

 savage animals ; but it is probable 

 that their ferocity is exaggerated, for 

 they are seldom aggressive, though 

 they show much courage in defending 

 themselves, and are generally ready to 

 fight for the protection of their young. 

 Their walk is plantigrade, — that is, 

 they place the whole sole of the foot 

 on the ground, and their track in the 

 snow or soft earth bears a marked 

 resemblance to the imprint of a man's 

 hand. When attacked they stand 

 upright and strike with their forepaws, which are armed with long, sharp claws. 



The twelve species which constitute the genus Ursiis are found in all the 

 northern regions of the globe; but it is probable that the Black Bear, Ursns aiiicri- 

 canus, is the only species ever found in the State of New York. They were once 

 common throughout the State, but their habitat is now restricted to the Adiron- 

 dacks and the Catskills. Grown bears of this species vary in weight from 150 to 

 400 pounds ; but the young are surprisingly small. Merriam, in his " Mammals of 

 the Adirondacks," says: "The diminutive size, premature appearance and helpless 

 condition of the young of this species at birth cannot fail to excite surprise. They 

 are not six inches in length, weigh less than a pound, and are not yet covered with 

 hair. Their eyes do not open for more than a month. I know of no other mammal, 



