1 86 The Grizzly Bear 



I wish once more to call attention to the fact that, 

 throughout the following chapters, the term "grizzly 

 bear," when unqualified, refers to the Rocky Mountain 

 grizzly, Ursus Horribilis Ord. 



This bear is generally considered by scientists to be 

 somewhat smaller than the Sonora grizzly, also smaller 

 than the Norton Sound grizzly, but rather larger than 

 the Barren Ground grizzly. He is described as having 

 hairs elongated over the shoulders so as to give almost 

 the effect of a hump; and this collar, or "roach," while 

 typical of the species, varies greatly in development in 

 individuals, so that one sometimes sees a grizzly with 

 no noticeable ruff, and again sees specimens with this 

 feature so marked that the old hunters claim "the roach- 

 back" to be a distinct variety. 



The grizzly is also described as having larger fore 

 claws than any other species, and these of a whitish color 

 and nearly straight. This last distinction will not, how- 

 ever, judging from my own observations, apply to the 

 species as a whole. I have seen many hundreds of these 

 animals, and, while the claws of some are white, as de- 

 scribed, I should say that a majority of them have dark 

 nails, and these rather curved than otherwise. Of course, 

 as to this, it makes a great difference whether the bear is 

 examined in the early spring when his claws are fresh- 

 grown, or in the late fall when they are worn with much 

 use. The accompanying illustration will give a better idea 

 than any description. These powerful claws are, when 

 not worn down by use, from four to six inches in length; 

 they are narrower at the base in comparison to their 

 length than those of other bears, and do not curve sharply 



