THE GRIZZLY 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 
lighter than that on the legs. 
The Grizzly Bears. 
The Grizzly Bear . 1 — 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- 
1 Ur'sus lior-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; and 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 hear 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. 1 
The Grizzly is an animal of commanding ap- 
pearance. and amongst other wild beasts it 
1 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 them 
to keep their place. 
