1 66 Game of Europe, W. & N. Asia & America 



rather smaller animal, at least it a tair estimate ot its true dimensions is 

 obtainable from modern specimens, the height at the shoulder being about 

 35 inches. In point oi size the measured specimens of Alpine ibex horns 

 bear no sort of comparison to those of the Asiatic species. The four finest 

 specimens ot which the measurements are known were obtained from the 

 Val d'x^osta, on the Piedmont side of Monte Rosa, and are the property of 

 His Majesty the King of Italy. The finest of these measures 44^ inches 

 in length along the front curve, with a basal girth of 10] inches. It is, 

 however, quite possible that if careful search were made in continental 

 museums, as well as the private residences of the old nobility of the Tyrol 

 and Piedmont, specimens of larger size might be met with. The small, 

 slightly curved, and knobless horns of the does seldom exceed 6 or 8 inches 

 in length. 



From several of the local races of the Asiatic ibex, the Alpine species 

 is also distinguished by the flict that it is practically a uniformly-coloured 

 animal ; that is to say, such variations in colour as it possesses are limited 

 to certain shades of grey, brown, rufous, etc., the large huffish white 

 saddle so often noticeable in the Asiatic ibex being entirely wanting in 

 the present species. Like so many ruminants, the Alpine ibex displays a 

 considerable difference in the tint of its coat according to season ; the 

 summer dress, as in the deer, tending to rufous, while that of winter 

 inclines more to grey. Reddish grey is the description usually given of 

 the colour of the summer dress, while the winter garb is described as 

 yellowish grey. A chocolate-coloured streak along each fiank serves to 

 demarcate the dark upper-parts of the animal from the lighter tint occupy- 

 ing the lower surface of the body. And the central line of the back is 

 ornamented with a light brown stripe. Darker brown is the distinctive 

 tint of the face, throat, beard, the upper surface of the tail, and the lower 

 part of the legs. On the other hand, the chin, an area in front of the 

 eyes, and another below the ears show a rusty tinge ; the ears themselves 



ii 



