442 



WILD SPAIN. 



since they never descend to the lower levels — passes under- 

 standing ; but the case of the ibex is no less inexplicable. 



Lord Lilford writes : — In my opinion the chamois of the 

 Pyrenees is very distinct from the chamois of Central Europe 

 and Turkey. 



Note. — Wild Sheep : — It is somewhat remarkable that the 

 moufflon, which is found as near as Corsica and Sardinia, 

 should be entii-ely unknown in the Spanish cordilleras. 



Bear (Ursiis arctos). 

 Spanish : Oso. 



There are in Spain two kinds of bear — it would, perhaps, be 

 more correct to say two varieties — the large, dark-coloured 

 beast, and the small brown bear, or Hormiguero = ant-ea^ter. 

 The latter, which is not uncommon in the Asturias, feeds on 

 roots, ants'-nests, honey, and such-like humble fare ; while the 

 big black bear, distinguished as Carnicero, preys on goats, 

 sheep, pigs, &c., and even pulls down homed cattle. 



Bear-hunting is confined to the north — to the Pyrenees and 

 the Cantabrian Highlands. A primitive method of pursuit sur- 

 vives in certain high-lying villages of the Asturias, where the 

 mountaineers face Bruin, armed only with pike and knife. 

 These men are associated in a sort of fraternal band, and the 

 occupation passes from father to son. The osern, accompanied 



