24 NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



nibbling at small plants, is on the slides when the grass first 

 appears and it is probable that to this habit the greatest mortal- 

 ity of this animal is due, as many are killed each spring by the 

 avalanches on these snow slides. 



The sheep is an active, wary and fleet-footed animal, fully as 

 well equipped as the deer to escape by agility from its enemies 

 and is not dependent for safety on a refuge beyond the reach of 

 other animals. The goat on the other hand, is heavy, powerful, 

 clumsy, slow moving and somewhat stupid and does not dare to 

 venture very far from its inaccessible rocks. It thrives among 

 precipitous cliffs, which are everywhere known among hunters 

 as "goat rocks" and are recognizable as such at a glance. 



LOCAL DISTRIBUTION. 



In a mountainous country it is perfectly easy to say where goat 

 are to be found, if there are any in the neighborhood. They de- 

 scend, of course, into the upper limits of the forests, but always 

 keep near to cliffs to which they can retire when attacked. Some- 

 times swim rivers and have been killed while crossing the Stickene 

 far into the forests. Salt-licks have been found in the hillsides, 

 where great holes have been eaten out by these animals. The 

 trails which lead to some of the licks in British Columbia are 

 worn so deeply as to resemble buffalo trails. Goat pass through 

 the forests and lower slopes of the mountains in moving from one 

 locality to another, but this of course, is exceptional. They some- 

 times swim rivers and have been killed while crossing the Stickine 

 River in British Columbia, a wide and rapid stream. 



So complete is the protection the goat finds in broken rocks 

 and precipices, that they are practically out of danger from any 

 animal approaching from below, except bear, which frequently 

 lie in wait for them and occasionally capture an unwary indi- 

 vidual. The eagles take a very heavy toll from the young goat 

 in the spring. 



The difficulty of reaching the mountain tops is, of course, a 

 protection against man, but the conspicuous color and the slow 

 movements of the animal make it a comparatively easy victim 

 when once reached by hard climbing. 



WATER SUPPLY. 



The question of water supply on the mountains inhabited by 

 goat has a most important bearing on the distribution of the ani- 

 mal. In a large portion of the southern range of the goat, little 



