These remarks apply in a greater or less degree to the Alaskan bears already mentioned, and to the Barren-ground Bear. a smaller, whitish brown form inhabiting the treeless regions be tween Hudson Bay and the Coppermine River. whose separate specific identity is still subject to discussion.
The BLACK BEAR remains to be described. It is more widespread than any other in America, being found primitively wherever forests existed on the Continent north of Mexico. Civilization has restricted this area of residence; yet these bears remain wherever any considerable tracts of forest exist, and are frequently a pest to farm (-is by their forays upon the pig-sty and sheep fold. Their size varies. hut never reaches the bigness of the grizzly: the color seems normally black, but varies through brown and reddish to yellow. Some so-called 'cinnamon' bears are this species, and some are grizzlies. Their habits and food are closely similar to those of the Eu ropean Brown Bear, with which some writers consider them specifically identical. They climb trees easily. are courageous, and may be very ugly customers when brought to bay, but are not often aggressive toward men. Those of Texas and Florida are by some regarded as separate species, but most naturalists consider them geo graphical varieties.
Possibly this is equally true of the small GLACIER BEAR, first described in 1S95, which in habits the Saint Elias Alps of the central coast region of Alaska; but this will probably be found a tenable 'species.' It is smaller than the aver
age of black bears, and unique in its color, which is hoary gray, closely resembling that of a silver fox, most nearly white on the under surfaces. "The fur is not very long, but remarkably soft, and with a rich under fur of a bluish-black shade, numbers of the long hairs being white" or white tipped. The sides of the face are bright tan, and the claws are small, much curved, sharp, and black. Little is known as yet as to the special habits or food of this interesting little bear.
BIBLIOGRAPHY. In addition to standard works, Bibliography. In addition to standard works, consult: Mivart, Proceedings Zoological Society of London (London, 1885) ; Blanford, Fauna of British India: Mammals (London. P388) ; Pol lak, Sport in British Burmah (London, 1879) ; Ho•naday, Two Years in the Jungle (New York, ISSG) : Baker. Wild Beasts and their Ways (Lon don, 1S90) ; Sanderson, Thirteen Years Among Wild Beasts in India (London, 1893), and other books of East Indian travel and sport; Reid, Bruin, or the Grand Bear Hunt (London, 18(i0) ; Richardson, Fauna Bo•eali „I incricam/ (London, 1837), and Arctic explorations generally for the polar bear: Roosevelt, The Wilderness Hunter (New York, 1893) ; Proctor. Wild. Beasts (New York, 1894) ; Ward, Century 11aga:inc, Vol. 1. (New York, 1882) ; Merriam, Proceedings Bio logical of Washington. ( shington, 1896),