97 
2. Ursus sp. Grizzly Bear 
Grizzly tracks observed at intervals all way up the Chitina in May, 
but not in any numbers, and most commonly toward head of valley. Their 
grubbing for roots often a feature of flats where roots of Hedysarum boreale 
and Hedysarum Mackenzii much sought — former apparently being favour- 
ite. Indeed, it was never definitely determined that Hedysarwn Mackenzii 
eaten at all; for always when fresh stems found lying as evidence, they 
belonged to boreale. Both plants often grew intimately associated in same 
habitat. 
On evening of May 20 a large, brown grizzly with lighter mantle 
across shoulders hurried up open gravel flat before tent, passing at 200 
yards. Fired at, wounded, but lost — a lamentable affair due to fact that 
rifle sight had been pounded out of line in rough game of packing. After 
this grizzlies seen five different times, but always when no rifle available. 
Observed twice at Trail End and it was undoubtedly grizzlies that destroyed 
food caches of Mount Logan climbers on lower point of Chitina mountain. 
This animal here ranged from river-level to open alpine slopes, his 
chief interest in heights being ground squirrel. Creamy-coloured grizzlies 
seen on three occasions. One of these on June 26 found at about 5,500 
feet elevation, lying on a knoll, and refused to pay any attention to whistles 
and shouts calculated to scare him — this at a distance of about 150 yards. 
Animal lying on breeziest knoll available and seemed worried by mos- 
quitoes that on this date were numerous. Fresh diggings for ground 
squirrels on slope nearby. 
Early spring must have brought lean days for Ursus here. A scato- 
logical study of a bear, probably a grizzly, May 15, revealed that animal 
had eaten quantities of rabbit only. Another pile of excrement contained 
seeds of cranberry ( Vaccinium pauciflorum ), silverberry ( Elaeagnus com - 
mutata ), and some seed of smaller berries as well as rabbit bones and fur. 
One of surprises given by this animal in life his speed afoot. When 
walking, his very deceiving gait covered distance amazingly. Following 
a grizzly across a long open flat near Trail End, June 9, writer had to 
push hard to hold pace and bear overtaken only when he wasted his time 
nosing around stream. When walking, grizzly’s tracks evenly distributed, 
front and hind, showing that, unlike best walking horses, hind foot far 
oversteps front. During a slow walk, this gives a clearance between prints 
of about only 6 inches. Found, however, that when animal broke into 
his awkward gallop, his feet came down well in line, two and two, that is, 
two front followed by two hind, or vice versa; and from hind heel to front 
toe in two bounds measured, distance was 10 and 11 feet respectively. 
No very large tracks seen here. Measurements taken May 23 about 
average, i. e., front foot 7 inches broad and same long; hind foot 6^ inches 
in width across toes and 11 inches in length (heel to claw). 
Grizzly diggings for ground squirrels found on high divide between 
Calamity creek and the Nizina on August 20. 
No less than thirty-one forms (species and subspecies) of grizzly bears recorded from 
British Columbia, Yukon, and Alaska alone, as well as several allied species of big brown 
bears (Merriam, C. Hart: “Review of the Grizzly and Big Brown Bears of North America”; 
North Am. Fauna, No. 41, Washington, 1918, pp. 1-136, Pis. 1-XVI). These described in 
most cases from skulls only. Very little definite knowledge available concerning colour 
and general appearance of animals, and ranges of different forms have in most cases not 
been worked out. Several possibilities of different species or geographic forms of grizzly 
being found in this region, but futile to make any attempt to name them without actual 
specimens in hand. 
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