(goc^g (mountain OJ^onbetfanb 



The place where he hibernates preferably is 

 a natural cave or a large opening beneath rocks. 

 If completely sheltered in a cave, he is com- 

 monly satisfied to lie on bare rocks, with noth- 

 ing over him. In other places, where the snow 

 might come in contact with him, he commonly 

 crawls beneath a huge pile of trash, leaves, 

 sticks, and roots. Snow had drifted deeply over 

 each hibernating-place I have found. 



That his winter-sleep is more or less restless 

 is shown in the spring by his hairless hips and 

 sides, the hair having been worn off during the 

 winter. This probably is due to frequent turn- 

 ings from side to side. 



He is generally fat when he turns in for his 

 winter's sleep; but usually he does not eat any- 

 thing for a few days before going in. On the few 

 occasions on which I was able to keep track of 

 a bear for several days before he went to sleep 

 he did not eat a single thing during the four or 

 five days that immediately preceded retiring. 

 I have examined a number of grizzlies that were 

 killed while hibernating, and in every instance 

 the stomach and intestines were entirely empty 



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