Characteristics and Habits 79 



appeared into the woods I saw that his larger com- 

 panion had become aware of my presence. I once 

 more concealed myself among the branches, but the 

 Black Bear in the tree kept an eye in my direction and 

 when, at the end of five minutes or so, the smaller bear 

 returned cautiously to the scene of his recent discom- 

 fiture and began to coax his friend to come down and 

 resume their play, it was amusing to watch the cross- 

 purposes at which they found themselves. For the 

 one up the tree who knew of my presence was afraid to 

 come down and yet unable to explain the circumstances 

 to the one on the ground, and he in his turn was utterly 

 unable to make head or tail of the other's actions. He 

 finally gave up the attempt to persuade him and wan- 

 dered away into the woods, and at the end of half an 

 hour or so the other bear, evidently with serious mis- 

 givings, came carefully down the opposite side of his 

 tree and made off at the double quick. 



The Black Bear's habits of hibernation are less rigid 

 and apparently less developed than the grizzly's. 

 To begin with, they are far less industrious in providing 

 themselves with a den, and less particular in having 

 it weatherproof and well concealed. The grizzly habit- 

 ually seeks out some natural cave or shelter in the 

 rocks, high up in the mountains, often above snow line. 

 This he prepares for occupancy by raking into it what- 

 ever he can find in the way of leaves or dried grasses, 

 and sometimes stops up with earth and stones such 



