GRIZZLY BEAR. 
145 
instant amid the tangled briars and bushes thereabouts. Many wolves of 
different colours — black, white, red, or brindle — were also intent on going 
to the buffalo to gorge themselves on the carrion, but took fright at our 
approach, and we saw them sneaking away with their tails pretty close to 
their hind-legs.” 
The Grizzly Bear generally inhabits the swampy, well covered portions 
of the districts where it is found, keeping a good deal among the trees and 
bushes, and in these retreats it has its “ beds” or lairs. Some of these we 
passed by, and our sensations were the reverse of pleasant whilst in such 
thick, tangled, and dangerous neighbourhoods ; the Bear in his concealment 
having decidedly the advantage in case one should come upon him una- 
wares. These animals ramble abroad both by day and night. In many 
places we found their great tracks along the banks of the rivers where 
they had been prowling in search of food. There are seasons during the 
latter part of summer, when the wild fruits that are eagerly sought after 
by the Bears are very abundant. These beasts then feed upon them, tear- 
ing down the branches as far as they can reach whilst standing in an 
upright posture. They in this manner get at wild plums, service berries, 
buffalo berries, and the seeds of a species of cornus or dog-wood which 
grows in the alluvial bottoms of the northwest. The Grizzly Bear is also 
in the habit of scratching the gravelly earth on the sides of hills where the 
vegetable called “ pomme blanche” is known to grow, but the favourite 
food of these animals is the more savoury flesh of such beasts as are less 
powerful, fleet, or cunning than themselves. They have been known to 
seize a wounded buffalo, kill it, and partially bury it in the earth for future 
use, after having gorged themselves on the best parts of its flesh and lapped 
up the warm blood. 
We have heard many adventures related, which occurred to hunters 
either when surprised by these Bears, or when approaching them with 
the intention of shooting them. A few of these accounts, which we believe 
are true, we will introduce : During a voyage (on board one of the 
steamers belonging to the American Pur Company) up the Missouri river, 
a large she-Bear with two young was observed from the deck, and several 
gentlemen proposed to go ashore, kill the dam, and secure her cubs. A 
small boat was lowered for their accommodation, and with guns and 
ammunition they pushed off to the bank and landed in the mud. The old 
Bear had observed them and removed her position to some distance, where 
she stood near the bank, which was there several feet above the bed of the 
river. One of the hunters having neared the animal, fired at her, inflicting 
a severe wound. Enraged with pain the Bear rushed with open jaws 
towards the sportsmen at a rapid rate, and with looks that assured them she 
vol. nr. — 19 
