116 lUTDRE AND HABITS OF THE GRIZZLY BEAM. 



and coQ&tries adjacent, viz. : The grizzly bear, the black, the red, and tht 

 white. 



Of these, the grizzly bear stands pre-eminent in ferocity and strength. 

 He will almost invariably flee at the sight or scent of a man, and seldom 

 attacks any one unless wounded. When shot, he generally runs at full 

 speed towards tlie sound, and woe to the unfortunate hunter who then 

 comes in his way, unless fully prepared for a deadly encounter ! 



This animal reigns prince of the mountains, and every other beast within 

 his wide realm acknowledges his supremacy. 



Wolves and panthers dare not approach him, or disturb aught savoring 

 of his ownership. Even the carcase of his prey, covered with me earth 

 and rock his cautious instinct teaches him to heap upon it for preservation, 

 is unmolested, though hundreds of wolves and panthers might be starving 

 around. 



Buffalo dread his presence far more than the dangerous approach of 

 the hunter, and will sooner bring into requisition their swiftest powers of 

 flight on such occasions. With great difficulty a horse can can be per- 

 suaded to go within any near distance of one of them, even when led, and 

 then he will quail and tremble in every joint, from extreme terror. 



Li short, the grizzly bear stalks forth at pleasure, in his majesty and 

 strength, lord of the wild solitudes in which he dwells, and none dares op- 

 pose him. 



Some writers assert that bears will not prey upon dead carcases, — this 

 b contrary to fact. I have often known them take possession of the 

 fcarcases of animals, even when nearly pvitrid, and remain until they were 

 clevoured. 



Tiiey frequently kill buffalo, horses, and cattle to gratify their taste foi 

 gidiimal food, and, in such cases, always drag their prey to some convenient 

 (gpot, and perform the task of burial by heaping upon it piles of rock or 

 C/arth, to a depth of several feet, for protection against the voracity of othei 

 f.'Sasts of prey. It is not uncommon, even, that they drag the entire carcase 

 c-f a full-grown bull a distance of several hundred yards, by the horns, foi 

 this purpose, — so great is their strength and so accute their sagacity 



