Ursus. £n3 
“Tt is found,” Jerdon says, “only on the Himalayas and at great 
elevations in summer close to thesnow. In autumn they descend lower, 
coming into the forests to feed on various fruits, seeds, acorns, hips of 
rose-bushes, &c., and often coming close to villages to plunder apples, 
walnuts, apricots, buckwheat, &c. Their usual food in spring and 
summer is grass and roots. They also feed on various insects, and are 
seen turning over stones to look for scorpions (it is said) and insects 
that harbour in such places. In winter they retreat to caves, remaining 
in a state of semi-torpidity, issuing forthin March and April. Occasion- 
ally they are said to kill sheep or goats, often wantonly, apparently, 
as they do not feed upon them. ‘They litter in April and May, the 
female having generally two cubs. This bear does not climb trees 
well.” 
The next three species belong to the group of Sun Bears; Héarctos 
of some authors. 
No. 164. Ursus (HELARCTOS) TORQUATUS vel TIBETANUS. 
The Himalayan Black Bear (Jerdon’s No. 90). 
NaTIvE Name.—Zhalu, Hind. ; Thom, Bhot. ; Sona, Lepcha. 
Hapitat.—The Himalayas, Nepal, Assam, Eastern Siberia, and 
China. 
DESCRIPTION. —-Entirely black, with the exception of a broad white V- 
shaped mark on the chest and a white chin. Neck thick, head flattened ; 
ears large ; claws very long and curved; fur short ; body and head more 
slender than the preceding species. 
Jerdon remarks that the specific name of this bear is unfortunate, 
since it is rare in Thibet. However the more appropriate specific name 
torqguatus is now more generally adopted. It seems to be common in 
all the Himalayan ranges, where it is to be found from 5000 to 12,000 
feet. Jerdon says it lives chiefly on fruit and roots, apricots, walnuts, 
apples, currants, &c., and also on various grains, barley, Indian corn, 
buckwheat, &c., and in winter on acorns, climbing the oak trees and 
breaking down the branches. They are not afraid of venturing near 
villages, and destroy not only garden stuff, but—being, like all bears, fond 
of honey—pull down the hives attached to the cottages of the hill people. 
“Now and then they will kill sheep, goats, &c., and are said occasionally 
to eat flesh. This bear has bad eyesight, but great power of smell, and 
‘if approached from windward is sure to take alarm. A wounded bear 
will sometimes show fight, but in general it tries to escape. It is said 
sometimes to coil itself into the form of a ball, and thus roll down steep 
hills if frightened or wounded.” If cornered it attacks savagely, as all 
bears will, and the face generally suffers, according to Jerdon ; but I have 
noticed this with the common Indian Sloth Bear, several of the men 
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