2 BEARS. 



sloth bear, for he is by far the most sporting animal of 

 the lot. 



Those who have pursued both varieties of the hill-bear 

 declare that they afford but poor sport the brown bear 

 especially being a very timid animal and never showing 

 fight unless absolutely obliged to do so. 



In this respect they both differ from the low-country 

 animal, the majority of which are not only very plucky, 

 but often distinctly aggressive. 



There is also a variety found in Burmah a diminutive 

 edition of the black bear which, owing to his size, affords 

 no sport for the rifle, although a courageous little beast 

 he is known as a fruit bear. 



The black bear* of the plains of India, the only 

 member of the genus " Ursus " which I have as yet 

 encountered, is about six feet long, and three feet high, 

 but when standing on his hind legs to which he is much 

 addicted his head would be about seven feet above the 

 ground. He is a sufficiently formidable animal to give 

 a spice of danger to his pursuit, while he at the same 

 time lacks the dangerous aggressive powers of the tiger, 

 or panther, and for this reason he is an excellent quarry 

 to introduce the young sportsman to. One is inclined to 

 take liberties with bears, that would not be attempted 

 with the more dangerous kinds of big game ; and, in 

 consequence, many serious and fatal accidents have 

 occurred. But, with ordinary steadiness, danger is 

 reduced to a minimum. 



He has a very keen nose, moderate sight, and 



ridiculous shambling gait ; when galloping especially he 



is " all over the place." His long, shaggy hair shakes, 



and his limbs seem to be dislocated ; but all the same, he 



* Ursus labiatits. 



