THE GEIZZLY BEARS 



37 



except when shedding is in full progress, the 

 animal makes a very imposing appearance. This 

 species is recognized by its uniform brown or 

 golden color, its high shoulders, broad and mas- 

 sive head, flat forehead, short, square nose, and 

 a drop in the upper line of the head in front of 

 the eyes. Mr. Kidder states that the bears on 

 Kodiak Island are uniformly colored over the 

 body and legs, but those on the mainland are 

 darker on the legs than on the body. 



The Kodiak Bear catches and devours great 

 numbers of salmon, which are so abundant in 

 many Alaskan streams that it can throw them 

 out with its paws. It also eats quantities of the 

 rank marsh grass which grows along many sal- 

 mon streams where they flow through alluvial 

 plains before discharging into the sea. It inhab- 

 its the most rugged mountains, and is seldom 

 killed save when it leaves the shelter of the tim- 

 ber and comes into the open river valleys and 

 bay heads to feast on freshly-caught salmon, 

 with tender grass for dessert. 



Just how far eastward this bear ranges on the 

 mainland, remains to be determined;- but I be- 

 lieve it will be found as far as the Copper River. 

 The big animal found in the Yukon valley, and 

 commonly called the "Red Bear," undoubtedly 

 belongs to the group of big brown bears, and in 

 all probability is the same as the Kodiak Bear. 

 The illustration shown on page 33 is a portrait of 

 a fine Alaskan brown bear living in the New 

 York Zoological Park, which came from the 

 country between Cook Inlet and the Copper 

 River. Inasmuch as all the descriptions of the 

 species composing the brown bear group have 

 been based chiefly upon skulls, the exact identity 

 of our specimens can not be determined while 

 they are alive. In the month of September its 

 entire pelage is of the uniform dark-brown color 

 characteristic of the bears of Kodiak Island at 

 the season when the majority of them are killed, 

 but later on the pelage of the body becomes 

 Ughter than that on the legs. 



The Grizzly Bears. 



The Grizzly Bear.' — Of all the bears of the 



world, this species is certainly one of the most 



celebrated. During the days of muzzle-loading 



rifles, its name and fame inspired terror through- 



' Vr'sus hor-ri'bi-lis. 



out the mountains and foot-hills of the wild 

 western domain which constituted its home. 

 For many years it held the old-fashioned Ken- 

 tucky rifle of the pioneer in profound contempt, 

 and frequently when it was used to annoy him, 

 the user met a tragic fate. I believe that Grizz- 

 lies have killed and maimed a larger number of 

 hunters than all other bears of the world com- 

 bined. 



Down to the advent of the breech-loader, the 

 Grizzly was a bold, aggressive and highly dan- 

 gerous animal. When attacked, he would 

 charge his enemies with great ferocity, striking 

 terrible blows with paws that were like sledge- 

 hammers armed with huge hooks of steel. The 

 combined swiftness and strength with which 

 any large bear can strike must be seen or felt 

 to be fully appreciated. 



I have made many observations on the temper 

 of the Grizzly Bear, and am convinced that nat- 

 urally the disposition of this reputedly savage 

 creature is rather peaceful and good-natured. 

 At the same time, however, no animal is more 

 prompt to resent an affront or injury, or punish 

 an offender. The Grizzly temper is defensive, not 

 aggressive; aad unless the animal is cornered, 

 or thinks he is cornered, he always flees from 

 man. 



Either in captivity or freedom, the Grizzly re- 

 sponds to fair treatment as well as any well- 

 armed wild animal ever does, and far better than 

 any other species with which I am personally 

 acquainted. In the Yellowstone Park, where 

 for several years past all bears have been fully 

 protected, both the Grizzly and black bears now 

 live in close touch with man, without breaking 

 faith with him. Although they frequently visit 

 the hotels, and steal food from the wagons and 

 camps of tourists, I believe no bear has yet broken 

 faith with the Government by molesting either his 

 human neighbors or domestic animals ! This fact 

 speaks volumes for the moral character of our 

 bears.' 



The Grizzly is an animal of commanding ap- 

 pearance, and amongst other wild beasts it 



'Since the above was written, the truce of the 

 Yellowstone Park has been broken. Two horses 

 belonging to a party of tourists have been killed by 

 bears, and the aggressiveness of the latter has be- 

 come so serious that it will be necessary for the 

 government to take measures which will teach thera 

 to keep their place. 



