62 The Black Bear 



paws are more nearl}' alike; but one notices at once 

 how markedly both differ from the front paws and how 

 nearly they approximate to feet. This is true of all 

 bears. 



AS; in the West, these two bears are often found in 

 the same localities, and as one of the first things an 

 observer of them should learn is to distinguish between 

 their tracks, I shall point out some of the more salient 

 differences between the two. 



On the fore paw of the Black Bear the pad is noticea- 

 bly rounded in front and somewhat hollowed out be- 

 hind and is, in a general way, rather kidney-shaped. 

 It does not show the dent that is so plainly seen on the 

 outside of the grizzly's front paw, and the front edge of 

 it is much narrower. Also, when the track is perfect, 

 the distance between the impress of the toes and the 

 impress of the tips of the claws is much less. 



On the hind paw of the Black Bear the front of the 

 pad is also more rounded than that of the grizzly and 

 the heel is blunt instead of pointed. Another difference 

 in shape is shown by the fact that a straight line drawn 

 through the middle toe and along the axis of the foot 

 will, in the Black Bear's track, exactly hit the heel, while 

 in the grizzly's track it will fall well to the outside of 

 the heel. The Black Bear's hind paw is also more deeply 

 dented at the instep than that of the grizzly. 



The feet of the Black Bear are stockier t-han those of 

 the grizzly and more powerfully muscled — probably as 



