ROCK PTARMIGAN. 189 



THE ROCK PTARMIGAN (Lagopus rupestris) and 

 a few smaller birds, were the only members of 

 the feathered tribes I saw. The ptarmigan had 

 their chickens with them ; the parents and young 

 grouse may be seen in the British Museum, 

 obtained at this camp. 



THE MOUNTAIN GOAT, which is in reality 

 nearer an antelope (Aplocerus montanus, Grd.), 

 is a most conspicuous feature amidst this rocky 

 desolation. Gazing on some unusually splin- 

 tered and contorted hillside, suddenly a small 

 herd of mountain-goats come, as if by ma- 

 gic, round a jutting corner, and deliberately 

 march along' on a ledge, where, to all appear- 

 ance, a cat would be puzzled to find a firm 

 foothold; frighten them and they gallop with 

 equal safety, and, springing from one side of a 

 chasm to another, pitch like a bird, rather 

 than a hard-hoofed fourfooted beast, on the 

 narrowest ledges. The females had kids (or 

 fawns perhaps is more correct) by their sides. 

 I ate some of the flesh, but its flavour was goaty 

 in the extreme. 



THE BIGHORN or MOUNTAIN SHEEP (Ovis 

 montana, Cuvier) is also a tenant of the lower 

 ridges of these mountains. I did not see any, 

 but the Indians say they often kill them. The 



