THE AMEKICAN BLACK BEAR. 
109 
seek an asylum on the Rocky Mountains and in the 
extensive forests of the interior. They are still nume- 
rous on the western coast as far south as California. 
Bears are also found in Peru ; but it is not yet satis- 
factorily ascertained whether or not they constitute 
a distinct species from that which is so extensively 
dispersed over the northern division of the American 
continent. 
The habits of the American Bear are almost precisely 
similar to those of the European. The American is, 
however, upon the whole, somewhat less carnivorous. 
His food in a state of nature consists chiefly of wild 
fruits and other vegetable productions ; and he rarely 
attacks the smaller quadrupeds unless compelled by 
positive hunger. Occasionally, we are told, he makes 
considerable havoc among the pigs which are suffered 
to roam at large in the forests ; and he has even been 
known to devour calves and sheep. In no instance, 
however, has he been fairly convicted of making the 
first attack upon a man, although when irritated, or 
rendered desperate by his wounds, he will frequently 
turn upon his pursuers and defend himself with all the 
natural ferocity of his disposition. He is said to be 
particularly fond of fish, especially herrings, and to be 
very dexterous and expert in fishing, " catching," says 
Brickell in his Natural History of North Carolina, 
" vast quantities of several sorts of fish, as they run up 
the creeks and shallow waters to spawn. There,'' he 
continues, " you shall see these beasts sit, and take 
up fish as fast as it is possible for them to dip their 
paws into the water." Honey is also as great a favou- 
rite with them as with the Bears of Europe. They 
climb trees with at least equal dexterity, and swim 
across the broadest rivers with as much ease as the 
Polar Bear himself. 
