THE BLACK BEAR COMEDIAN 103 



in this way. Most of his bluffs are for amuse- 

 ment ; he will go far out of his way for the purpose 

 of running one. In any case, if the bluff is 

 ineffective and most often it is he moves on 

 with unbelievable indifference at the failure, 

 and in a fraction of a second is so interested in 

 something else, or so successfully pretends to be, 

 that the bluff might have been yesterday judg- 

 ing from his appearance. Often, like a boy, 

 he has a merry or a terrible make-believe time, 

 in which the bluff is exhibited. 



Bears are fond of swimming, and during the 

 summer often go for a plunge in a stream or 

 lake. This is followed by a sunning on the earth 

 or an airing in a treetop. 



The grizzly does not climb trees, but the black 

 bear climbs almost as readily as a cat. With 

 its cat-like forepaws it can simply race up a tree 

 trunk. He climbs a small pole or a large tree 

 with equal ease. 



The black bear might be called a perching 

 animal. Much of his time, both asleep and 

 awake, is spent in treetops. Often he has a 

 special tree, and he may use this tree for months 

 or even years. When closely pursued by dogs, 

 on the near-by appearance of a grizzly, or if 

 anything startling happen, instantly a black 

 bear climbs a tree. The black bear is afraid 

 pf the grizzly. 



