SECRETARY'S REPORT. 165 



running away, but allows it some liberty of movement. If the trap 

 were firmly fastened, the bear would quickly tear its foot from it ; but 

 being loose, it is dragged along by the bear, leaving a distinct trail by 

 which the hunter can follow the animal and kill it. 



The bear is very tenacious of life ; its brain is very effectually pro- 

 tected by the skull, which is very thick, and it will carry off a number 

 of bullets, unless shot through the heart. 



When attacked, it rises up on its haunches, defending itself with its 

 fore-paws, which are used as skilfully, and with as much ease, as a boxer's 

 fists ; at close quarters, it clasps its assailant in its powerful arms, hugging 

 it to death. 



The bear is a great traveller, constantly shifting from place to place 

 in search of food. In its travels it confines itself to certain circuits, 

 generally travelling the same paths, which are called run-tvays. In 

 these paths the hunter sets his traps, knowing that the bear will return 

 the same way again. Its habits are nocturnal, although it sometimes 

 travels in the daytime. 



It is very fat in the fall, before going into its winter quarters, but on 

 coming forth in the spring it is lean. The black bear is an excellent 

 climber, often having its nest in a hollow tree, many feet from the ground. 

 It is very fond of honey, robbing the hives of the wild bee, which it is 

 very successful in finding. 



The female usually has two cubs at a birth, although sometimes three 

 or four. The period of gestation is uncertain, some authors stating it to 

 be from six to seven weeks, others fourteen to fifteen weeks — one hundred 

 days or seven months. 



The black bear goes into winter quarters at the first heavy fall of snow. 

 Its den is generally some fissure in the I'ocks, in which it makes a large 

 bed of leaves and grass. I am informed that the male does not winter 

 with the female, but has a nest by himself. I think this is doubtful. 



Description. — Head short and broad ; nose slightly arched, and pointed ; 

 snout somewhat pointed, and movable; eyes small, and near together; 

 ears high, and somewhat rounded at the tips ; body and limbs, strong 

 and thick ; feet strong ; soles naked ; claws long and curved ; fur long 

 and soft, color black, with sometimes a brownish tint. 



DIMENSIONS. 



Length of head, from 11 to 12 inches. 

 Greatest width of head, from 7 to 8^ inches. 

 Length of head and body, 5 feet 9 inches. 



