154 THE AMERICAN BLACK BEAK. 



effort to account for it. From the height of these 

 marks an experienced hunter can judge to within a few 

 pounds the weight of the bear, long before the animal 

 is killed or has even been seen. For my own part I 

 am of opinion that tliese marks are nothing more or 

 less than matrimonial advertisements set up in a place 

 of public meeting, and intended to inform the lady 

 bears that there is in the forest hard by a gentleman 

 at present disengaged, and not disinclined to take a 

 partner. The marks, or ' bites,' as the hunters term 

 them, may also serve as a hint to rivals of the male sex 

 to abstain from attempting to win the good graces of 

 the lady sought for. Translated into English the 

 challenge means, ' Here am I, as fine a bear as prowls 

 this forest, as you may see by my bite, which is seven 

 feet four inches from the ground ; therefore you ma}^ 

 easily guess my fighting weight to be close upon five 

 hundred pounds. Stand clear, then, young gentlemen 

 bears, for if you presume to trespass in pursuit of my 

 game, I shall be compelled to give you a few ugly 

 hugs ; so sharpen your claws and fangs.' 



Traps are sometimes set for bears, but though oc- 

 casionally caught in them, the bears rarely remain there 

 long; it requires a trap of the largest size, skilfully 

 arranged and concealed, and of uncommon strength, to 

 hold a bear. But where their path to a cornfield is 

 plainly marked and regularly used, the planters some- 

 times set spring-guns for them, and generally with 



