160 
THE BLACK BEAR. 
apparently on the superabundant fat and 
which he had gained during the summer, 
out feeling the calls of hunger until his hw^^ 
is considerably reduced. 
At length, on the return of spring, the 
again sallies forth from his retreat, lean 
almost famished. He then ransacks 
place for food, climbing trees and devourhi^ 
the fruit. He ascends with surprising 
lity, with one paw holding fast by the branch^^’ 
and with the other gathering the fruit. 
is also remarkably fond of honey, which 1*^ 
seeks with great cunning and avidity, enco^’’' 
tering any difficulties to obtain it. 
The brown bear of the north of Europe 
possesses prodigious strength. Lloyd, in 
"Field Sports of the North,” says that 
walks with facility on his hind legs, and ’’’ 
that position can bear the heaviest burden*' 
Neilson, a Swede, relates that " a bear h^’® 
been seen walking on his hinder legs along ^ 
