BLACK, BROWN, OR CINNAMON BEAR. 23 



mountain regions of the West; a yellow bear from the Carolina? 

 is however mentioned by some authors, and may be referred to 

 this variety. 



This species, like the Grizzly, is truly omnivorous and every 

 eatable thing that comes within reach is eagerly devoured. In 

 severe winters in the Southern States the Bears are sometimes quite 

 troublesome to the farmers, devouring large numbers of sheep and 

 hogs, and occasionally making off \vith a calf. Such depredations, 

 however, are quite unusual, and Bruin is usually well contented if 

 he can be allowed in peace to gather mast, to catch frogs in the 

 brooks, and to tear up rotten logs and prey upon the ants and 

 beetles which he may find in them. It is in fall that these animals 

 live in clover, so to speak. When the nuts and berries are ripe 

 and the bees are putting up the last of their honey, and the corn 

 is in the milk tender and delicious, and the wild fruits, grapes and 

 persimmons and pawpaws are ripe, then truly does the Black Bear 

 laugh and grow fat, so fat indeed that he can scarcely run. 

 Then, too, does the hunter collect his dogs, and summoning his 

 neighbors, a jolly party proceed to the vicinity of the swamp which 

 harbors the Bear. The dogs are sent in and their cry soon notifies 

 the horsemen of the direction which the game is taking. All 

 hands follow as fast as the nature of the ground will permit, and 

 before long the barking of the dogs conveys the information that 

 the Bear has sought safety among the branches of a tree. On the 

 arrival of the hunters the tree is either cut down so that the bear 

 and dogs may fight it out on the ground, or, as is most frequently 

 the case, a rifle ball terminates the sport as far as this particular 

 animal is concerned. 



The Black Bear is shy and timid, and avoids a rencontre with 

 man if possible. When brought to bay, however, he will make a 

 show of fight, and if wounded may be dangerous. As a rule, 

 however, the chase of the Black Bear is devoid of excitement and 

 attractive danger, and it is little hunted except as mentioned above 

 in the South. The man who has killed his Grizzly has accom- 

 plished a feat of no small magnitude and may justly feel proud 

 of his prowess; but the Black Bear_is very much smaller 

 game. 



The Black Bear produces in early spring two or three cubs 



