THE BLACK BEAR—COMEDIAN 103 
in this way. Most of his bluffs are for amuse- 
ment; he will go far out of his way for the purpose 
of running one. In any case, if the bluff is 
ineffective—and most often it is—he moves on 
with unbelievable indifference at the failure, 
and in a fraction of a second is so interested in 
something else, or so successfully pretends to be, 
that the bluff might have been yesterday judg- 
ing from his appearance. Often, like a boy, 
he has a merry or a terrible make-believe time, 
in which the bluff is exhibited. 
Bears are fond of swimming, and during the 
summer often go for a plunge in a stream or 
lake. This is followed by a sunning on the earth 
or an airing in a treetop. 
The grizzly does not climb trees, but the black 
bear climbs almost as readily as a cat. With 
its cat-like forepaws it can simply race up a tree 
trunk. He climbs a small pole or a large tree 
with equal ease. 
The black bear might be called a perching 
animal. Much of his time, both asleep and 
awake, is spent in treetops. Often he has a 
special tree, and he may use this tree for months 
or even years. When closely pursued by dogs, 
on the near-by appearance of a grizzly, or if 
anything startling happen, instantly a black 
bear climbs a tree. The black bear is afraid 
of the grizzly. 
