511 



brush has grown up, there seems to be no doubt in the 

 minds of experienced woodsmen that Bears have be- 

 come much more numeious than thev were fifteen or 

 (wenty years ago. Fur dealers tlaiiu llial ahi.iil 15(1 

 IJears' skins are annually ship|M'<i lo llic maiUrls 

 from I'eiinsylvaiiia. 



The Bear is omni\()rous. Dr. Mciriam refei ring to 

 his food sajs: 



"His larder consists not only of mice and other small mam- 

 mals, turtles, frogs, and fish; but also, and largely, of ants and 

 their eggs, bees and their honey, cherries, blackberries, rasp- 

 berries, blueberries, and various other fruits, vegetables and 

 roots. He sometimes makes devasting raids upon the barn- 

 yard, slaying and devouring sheep, calves, pigs and poultry. 

 In confinement he shares with the inmates of the hog-jien 

 whatever is left from his master's table." 



In addition to the several species and subspecies 

 (local or geographical races) of mammals referred to 

 on preceding pages there are in Pennsylvania the fol- 

 lowing, of which but brief mention will be made: 



Two species of Weasels, two kinds of Minks, eight or 

 nine varieties of soft-furred Moles and Shrews, concern 

 ing the economic relations of which so many diverse 

 opinions are entertained by farmers and' sportsmen ; 

 and at least a half dozen species of insect-destroying 

 Bats. 



THE BAT'S WINTER HOME. 



Bats, like some other of our mnnimals. spend (he 

 winter months in retirement. In Centre county there 

 is a cave about fourteen hundred feet long, containing 

 numerous large chambers and showy stalactites and 

 stalagmiites. This immense cavern, penetrating the 

 whole length of a small mountain range, has the floor 



