CHAPTER XI 



THE BEAR (continued} 



THE outline that I have already given of Ursus labiatus is 

 sufficient to condemn its character ; there are more accidents to 

 natives of India and Ceylon from the attacks of this species than 

 from any other animal ; at the same time it is not carnivorous, 

 therefore no excuse can be brought forward in extenuation. I 

 have already observed that this variety of the bear family does 

 not hybernate ; it has a peculiar knack of concealment, as it is 

 seldom met during the daytime, although perhaps very numerous 

 in a certain locality. In places abounding with rocky hills, deep 

 ravines, and thick bush, it may be readily imagined that bears 

 obtain the requisite shelter without difficulty ; but I have fre- 

 quently visited their haunts, where no perceptible means of 

 secreting themselves existed, nevertheless each night afforded fresh 

 evidences of their industry in digging pits, when searching for 

 white ants, within 150 yards of our camp. In these places we 

 seldom found a bear, although driving the jungles daily with 

 nearly two hundred beaters. This experience would denote that 

 the bears travel long distances at night, to visit some favourite 

 resort which produces the necessary food. The stomachs of all 

 wild animals when shot should be immediately examined, as 

 the contents will be a guide to the locality which they inhabit. 

 I have killed elephants in Africa at least 50 miles distant from 

 any cultivation, but their stomachs were filled with dhurra 

 (Sorghum vulgare), thus proving that they had wandered great 

 distances in search of a much-loved food that could not be obtained 

 in their native forests In the same manner all wild animals will 

 travel extraordinary distances to obtain either water or food in 

 countries where they are liable to be pursued. When the watchers 

 who protect the crops are in sufficient force to drive the nocturnal 

 intruders away with guns, the same animals will probably not 



