HIMALAYAN BEAR AMERICAN BLACK BEAR 151 



THE HIMALAYAN BEAR 



( Ursus torquatus) 



THIS is the characteristic Bear of the wooded slopes of the Himalayas, 

 the Brown Bear replacing it above the forest-belt, and the Sloth-Bear in 

 the plains. In colour it resembles the latter, being black with a white 

 crescent on the chest, which hue is very constant ; but the size varies a 

 great deal, for one may come across specimens seven feet from nose to 

 rump, and others only half this length. 



In general habits it resembles the Brown Bear of Europe more than 

 the race of that animal which is its neighbour on the Himalayas, feeding 

 not only on vegetable food, such as walnuts, corn, and wild rhubarb, and 

 pilfering the pumpkins and honey of the villagers, but also attacking 

 their live-stock, such as Cattle and Ponies. Cows attacked by it are hor- 

 ribly mutilated, being practically devoured alive. It is also dangerous 

 to man, who is the more likely to encounter it as it resides within the 

 zone of cultivation. 



It bears captivity well, even in the unnatural climate of the plains 

 of India, and it is very amusing when young, but becomes surly and 

 dangerous later on in life. 



THE JAPANESE BEAR 



( Ursus japonicus) 



THE Japanese Bear is very similar to the Himalayan, quite a small animal, 

 not being much larger than the biggest Dogs, but very stout and heavy ; 

 it is thick-coated, and sometimes entirely black, without any white on 

 the chest. In Yezo, however, the northernmost island of the Japanese 

 group, is found a race of the ordinary Brown Bear. 



THE AMERICAN BLACK BEAR 



(Ursus americanus) 



IN its size, thick coat, and black colour, with often some white on the 

 chest, this Bear strikingly resembles the Himalayan, but has a much 



