THE BLACK BEAR. 



By Col. George D. Alexander. 



^HE Black Bear of North America resembles the 

 Brown Bear of Europe more closely than that of 

 any other of the Bear species. Our Ursus Ameri- 

 ^i canus never attacks a human being unless provoked 

 or wounded; the Brown Bear is more ferocious, and is often 

 the aggressor. The formation of the head of the Black 

 Bear is one of the noted peculiarities that distinguishes 

 it from the Brown Bear. The curve of the facial expression 

 from the top of the head to the nose is this distinction, not 

 unfrequently rendering the shot of the hunter ineffectual. 

 A bullet striking the front of the head of this Bear will, if 

 not driven by a heavy charge of powder, almost invariably 

 glance off, causing only a momentary stunning, from which 

 it rises with increased ferocity; and unless the hunter is 

 close enough to use his bowie or cane knife, he may be 

 either fearfully lacerated or killed. 



The Black Bear lives to the age of some twenty years in 

 captivity; how much longer in its wild state, I am unable 

 to say. It is extremely timid, dreading no animal so much 

 as man. Its hearing is so acute that the slightest noise, 

 the mere cracking of a dry twig, catches its attention. It is 

 seldom still, except in its bed or lair; the head in constant 

 motion, to catch the least sound of danger. 



The female produces two young in February, called cubs. 

 The mating-season is in July and August. At three years 

 old, the female is usually a mother. The male is not a 

 monogamist, like the Lion or Tiger. 



In size, the male is much the larger; when fully grown, 

 is about three feet high, and often pulls the scales to some 



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