WESTERN WILD SPORTS. 185 



ons — diospyros — and roots of various kinds. Its fondness for 

 sweet things is evident whenever it enters an apple orchard, 

 invariably selecting the sweetest kinds. It will also devour 

 eggs, insects, small quadrupeds and birds ; but when it has abun- 

 dance of its favorite vegetable food, will pass the carcass of a 

 Deer without touching it. The Bear is an imitative animal ; 

 and hence, when it meets a man, it will rise on its hind legs, 

 but is apparently soon satisfied with the comparison, and endea- 

 vors to make its escape. It is a great traveller, and when pur- 

 sued by tracking, has been known to perform long journeys. It 

 never makes immediately for its retreat, but approaches it in a 

 circling manner. A Bear was started near Schroon some years 

 since, and after a chase of eighteen days, was finally killed. 

 Although seldom seen during the chase, yet he appeared to be 

 fully aware that he was an object 'of pursuit, and the worn and 

 lacerated condition of his feet testified to his exertions to escape. 

 They are numerous along the borders of the Saranac, and in 

 the mountainous regions of Rockland and Greene. Occasion- 

 ally they invade the enclosures of the farmer, in search of pota- 

 toes and Indian coi-n. Their depredations are, however, speedily 

 checked ; for tney are timid, and will never attack a man, unless 

 previously wounded, or in defence of their young. Some of the 

 hunters imagine that there are two varieties of the common 

 Black Bear, viz., the short-legged and the long-legged ; but 

 others infoi'm me that the difference is owing entirely to the 

 fact that some are fatter and more robust, which produces an 

 appai'ent difference in the length of their legs. 



" The Yellow Bear of Carolina, and the Cinnamon Bear of 

 the northern regions, are varieties of this species. In this State, 

 they retire with the first fall of snow, to caverns, or to the hol- 

 low of some decayed tree, or beneath a prostrate tree, during 



larly called, was from west to east. It extended thirty miles, with a breadth 

 varying from half a mile to two miles. This occurred fifteen years ago. It has 

 been subsequently burned over, and abounds in poplar, white birch, wild cherries, 

 wild raspberries, etc., which attracted to this district great numbers of Deer and 

 numerous Bears. 



