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MAMMALS OF AMERICA 



Remarks. — The Grizzly Bears comprise several 

 species, and they in turn are related rather closely to 

 the group of Bears known as the Big Brown Bear of 

 northern distribution. The line between these groups 

 is not a very hard and fast one. and the classification 

 of the large Bears has been so shrouded in confusion 

 that no two authorities are agreed as to their exact 

 status. In general the grizzlies may be said to inhabit 

 the country from Mexico through the mountain ranges 

 to Alaska, where their habitat overlaps that of the 

 Big Brown Bears. The principal variations in the 

 grizzly group are size and slight color differences, while 

 some importance attaches to cranial marks. 



Rel.med Species 



Silver-tip Grizzly. — Ursus Jwrribilis horribilis 

 Ord. Typical form described above. Wyoming to 

 Alaska. 



Sonora Grizzly. — Uisus horribilis horriacus Baird. 

 Main dififerences to be found in the skull. Mountains 

 (if Xew Mexico, .\rizona. Colorado. Utah. 



California Grizzly. — Ursus horribilis calif amicus 

 Merriam. Largest of the horribilis group, and with 

 little silver tipping to the hairs. California. 



Alaska Grizzly. — I'rsiis horribilis alasccnsis Mer- 

 riam. Size very large. Found in the Norton Sound 

 region, .-Maska. 



The Grizzly Bear occupies a unique position 

 in the history of the fauna of the North Ameri- 

 can Continent. From the times when the In- 

 dians ( never in less than parties of six or eight ) 

 attacked it with bows and arrows, down to the 

 present era of the hreechloader and magazine 

 rifle, it has stood, in public estimation, as the 



embodiment of all that is ferocious and terrible 

 among big game animals. 



The Grizzly has certainly been more tuisrep- 

 resented than any other member of the Bear 

 family. He has been discredited with the prac- 

 tice of hugging his victim to death ; he has been 

 accused of feasting upon mules; and one quasi 



\-. ^\ 



Photograph by J, M J 



GRIZZLY BEAR 

 Calmly surveying the intruder of its home, in Yellowstone Park 



