230 CALIFORNIA MAMMALS. 



now rare, with the probability of their becoming extinct in the 

 near future. As I have never seen a hve Grizzly at large I can 

 say nothing of their habits from personal observation. When 

 California was first settled Grizzly Bears appear to have fre- 

 quented the edges of valleys and open places in forests ; but the 

 few that are left now hide in brushy canons of rough, inaccessi- 

 ble parts of low mountains. They do not climb trees. 



The food of Grizzly Bears is principally of vegetable nature, 

 including roots, wild fruits, seeds, nuts, grubs and the larger 

 insects. To this they add more or less flesh. When Grizzlies 

 were more common they killed some domestic animals, such as 

 colts, cattle, hogs and sheep. They are abroad as much in the 

 daytime as in the night, appearing to- hunt for food whenever 

 they are hungry, regardless of the time of day. 



Grizzly Bears are very tenacious of life, and are said to be 

 able to run a long distance after being shot through the heart. 

 The cubs are said to be usually two at a birth, sometimes three. 

 They are very small when first born. Grizzlies breed readily in 

 confinement. 



It is pretty well settled now that the so-called Cinnamon Bear 

 is a color phase of the Grizzly. 



Ursus americanus Pallas (Black Bear.) 



BLACK BEAR. 



Smaller; claws of fore feet curved, not much longer than 

 those of the hind feet; color brownish or blackish, the tips of the 

 hairs not conspicuously lighter; pelage comparatively soft and fine. 



No reliable measurements of this species are at hand. 



Black Bears are still found in the northern part of Califor- 

 nia, but are rare or extinct in the southern part of the State. Their 

 food is similar to that of the Grizzly, with a less proportion of 

 flesh. The young are commonly two, occasionally four in num- 

 ber^ These are born in the middle of the winter, in a very un- 



