i84 A NATURALIST IN WESTERN CHINA 



this animal around Wa-wu shan and south-west of Tachienlu 

 and have every reason to beheve that the accounts given by 

 natives are substantially correct. It is a solitary animal, and 

 makes beaten tracks through the forest, frequenting the same 

 haunts for long periods, as is evident from the large heaps of 

 its dung which are often met with in the Bamboo jungle. An 

 adult specimen is said to measure 4 to 5 feet and to weigh 

 about 200 lbs. The furry soles probably form a protection 

 against the splintery stumps of the dead Bamboo culms. 



In general appearance this animal is distinctly bearlike, 

 but the skull is much broader than in the Bears proper, and in 

 the teeth and general skeleton it approximates more closely 

 to true Panda. It is the sportsman's prize above all others 

 worth working hard for in Western China. 



BEARS 



Of Bears proper one species only is common in western 

 China. This is a Black Bear which the Chinese term " Gho 

 Hsiung " (Dog Bear). This animal gets east as far as north- 

 western Hupeh, where, however, it is rare. In the forested 

 regions of the Chino-Thibetan borderland it is fairly abundant, 

 ranging as far north at least as Sungpan. Between this town 

 and Lungan Fu, several days' journey to the eastward, it is 

 prevalent. Around Wa shan in the south and westwards to 

 Litang it is also common. Its altitudinal range depends largely 

 upon the agricultural possibilities of the country, for although 

 this Bear is essentially a lover of rocky forested regions it 

 keeps in the vicinity of cultivation. It is fond of maize cobs 

 and is often surprised and captured whilst feeding on this crop. 

 The limit of maize-cultivation varies from 7500 to 9000 feet, 

 according to climatic conditions. The Dog Bear ranges 1000 

 feet or so above these limits, and descends to 5000 feet altitude, 

 and even lower in sparsely peopled districts. Starchy roots 

 and the various fruits of the forests constitute the principal 

 food. It hibernates during the winter in dry, rocky caves and 

 in hollow tree-trunks. Cubs are frequently to be seen in June — 

 pretty little black fuzzy fellows, having all the playfulness 

 characteristic of the family. They become ugly with age, 



