8 5 o THE UNGULATES, OR HOOFED MAMMALS 



ranging from its southern boundary to the watershed of the Arctic Ocean, and 

 from the coast line to the Rockies. Here amid nature's wildest scenes, amid storm- 

 swept canons and beetling crags, amid steel-blue glaciers and snowy peaks, where 

 the silence is seldom broken save by the rush of mountain torrent, the howling of 

 the storm, or the crashing of the treacherous avalanche, here, far removed from 

 the trail of the ordinary hunter, the mountain goat, solitary in its habits, and con- 

 tented with its chaotic and gloomy surroundings, increases and multiplies." 



Although chiefly a mountain animal, this species is occasionally 

 Habits observed close to the sea level, and has even been seen swimming 



salt-water estuaries or rivers. Such occurrences are, however, rare; and, as a rule, 

 the Rocky-mountain goat lives above or close to the upper limits of forests. But 

 when driven by hunger, these animals sometimes descend to lower levels in the 

 forest, while they will not unfrequently traverse the lowlands separating one moun- 

 tain or range from another. During the pairing season in November and in the mid- 

 dle of winter they are gregarious, although not markedly so at other seasons of the 

 year. As might be inferred, from their short and clumsy limbs, these animals have 

 but little speed; and when disturbed they move leisurely off, trusting rather to con- 

 cealment behind sheltering rocks than in rapidity of pace. Formerly the Rocky- 

 mountain goat was much hunted by the Indians for the sake of its fleece, but now 

 that the demand for blankets made from its wool has well-nigh ceased, the pursuit 

 itself has been abandoned in many districts. 



Although extremely agile among its native mountains, the Rocky-mountain 

 goat, in spite of many statements to the contrary, does not appear to be a very wary 

 animal. Indeed, Mr. Fannin states that it is, perhaps, the most stupid animal in 

 the mountains, and little or no skill is required in hunting it. The great difficulty 

 is in reaching the almost inaccessible places which it usually inhabits. The best 

 time for hunting is in September and October, before the rainy season sets in, 

 although the skins are not in their best condition till later on. In coloration this 

 animal is unique among Ruminants; and is, indeed, one of the few Mammals that 

 are white at all seasons. Its white coat is admirably adapted to harmonize with the 

 snows of its highest haunts, but would seem to be conspicuous when the animal is 

 among dark rocks or on its grazing grounds. 



THE CHAMOIS 

 Genus Rupicapra 



The last representative of the goat-like antelopes is the well-known chamois or 

 gems (Rupicapra tragus) of the mountains of Europe, readily distinguished from 

 all the others by the short and cylindrical black horns rising for a considerable 

 distance vertically from the forehead, and then bending sharply backward and 

 downward in a hook-like manner. The chamois is a strongly-built animal, with 

 relatively -long and stout limbs, and a very short, stumpy tail; in height it stands 

 about two feet at the withers. The hair is close and rather long, with a thick, 



