58 
BLACK "BEA: R. 
in one fevere winter, when thefe animals were forced in multitudes 
from the woods, where there was abundance of animal food, they re-- 
jected that, notwithftanding they were ready to perifh with hunger ; 
and, migrating into. the lower Loui/iana, would often break into the 
courts of houfes. They never touched the butchers meat which lay 
in their way, but fed voracioufly on the corn or roots they met with*. 
Neceffity alone fometimes compels them to attack amd feed om. 
the fwine they meet in the woods: but flefh is to them an un- 
natural diet. They live on berries, fruits, and pulfe of all kinds ;. 
are remarkably fond of potatoes, which they very readily dig up with: 
their great paws ; make great havock in the fields of maize; and are 
great lovers of milk and honey. They feed much,on herrings, which 
they catch in the feafon when thofe_fifh come in. fhoals up the creeks, 
which gives their flefh a difagreeable tafte ; and the fame effect is 
obferved when they eat the bitter berries of the Tupelo. 
They are equally inoffenfive to. mankind, provided they are not 
irritated ; but if wounded,, they will turn on their affailant with 
creat fury, and, in cafe they can lay hold, never fail of hugging him 
to death ; for it has been obferved they never make ufe, in their rage, 
of either their teeth or claws. If they meet a man in a path they 
will not go out of his way; but will not attack him, They never 
feek combat. A finall dog will make them.run up a tree. 
The bears of Kamt/chatka refemble thofe. of America: they are- 
neither large nor fierce. They. alfo wander from the hills to the 
lower lands in fummer, and feed. on berries and fifh. They reject 
estmrreretss food, nor ever attack the inhabitants, unlefs they find 
them afleep, when, through wantonnefs, they bite them {feverely, 
and fometimes tear a piece of flefh away ; yet, notwithftanding they» 
get a tafte of human blood, are never known to deyour mankind. 
People thus injured are called Dranki +, or the flayed. 
The American bears do not lodge in caves or_clefts of rocks; like - 
thofe of Europe. The. bears of Hud/on’s Bay form their dens beneath 
* Du Pratz, ii. 57. + Hifi. Kamt/chatka, iii, 386. 
; tl 
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