634 UNOUI.ATA. 



Emperor of Austria, and tlic j)i-iiiccs of his lioiise. It moves very swiftlv 

 over level ground, and is unsurpassed in traversing the Alpine rocks; 

 tlie false hoofs of its iiindcr feet aid it greatly in descending the rocks. 

 It is very wary, and possesses a keen scent ; even an old footmark in the 

 snow will startle it. 1( li\es in small lu'i'tls, \vliich send out sentinels to 

 watch while the rest are feeding, and give warning of a coming foe. 



As tiie hind legs exceed the fore limbs in length, the Chamois is bet- 

 ter fitted for the ascent of steep grounil tiian lor descending, and never 

 exhibits its wonikrful [lowers with such success as when it is leaping 

 lightly and rapiiUy up the face ol an apparentlv inaccessible rock, and 

 taking advantage of e\erv little projection to add impetus to its progress. 

 Even when standing still, it is able to niouni to a higher s])ot without 

 leaping. It stands erect on its liiiul legs, places its fore-feet on some 

 narrow shelf of rock, and b)- a sudden exertion, draws its whole body 

 upon the ledge, where it stands secure. 



The food of the C'iiamois consists ot the various herbs which grow 

 upon the mountains, and in the winter season it finds its nourishment on 

 the buds of sundrv trees, mostly of an aromatic nature, such as the fir, 

 pine, and juniper. In consequence of this diet, the flesh assumes a rather 

 powerful odor, which is decidedly repulsive to the palates of some per- 

 sons, while others seem to appreciate the peculiar flavor, and to value it 

 as highl)' as the modern gourmand appreciates the "gamey " flavor of 

 long kept venison. The r.kin is largely emiiloyed in the manufacture of 

 a certain leather, which is widely famous for its soil, though tough 

 character. The color of the Chamois is yellowish-brown upon the 

 greater ])ortion of the body, the spinal line being marked with a black 

 streak. In the winter months, the fur darkens and becomes blackish- 

 brown. The face, cheeks, and throat are of a vellowish-white hue, 

 diversified by a dark brownish-black band which passes from the corner 

 of the mouth to the eyes, when it suddenl}- dilates and forms a nearly 

 perfect ring round the eyes. The horns are jetty-black and highly 

 polished, especially toward the tips, which are extremely sharp. There 

 are several obscure rings on the basal portions, and their entire surlace 

 is marked with longitudinal lines. 



Several varieties of the Chamois are recorded, but the distinctions 

 between them lie only in the comparative length of the horns, and the 

 hue of the coat. The full-grown (liamois is rather more than two feet 

 in height, and the horns are from six to eight inches long. 



