THE COMMON GOAT. 35 



the spot to which they bound, though it be at the 

 distance of even many feet. 



In a domestic state, its activity of body often 

 renders the Goat a very mischievous animal, since 

 no fence of common height can restrain its wander- 

 ings. It frequently makes its way into gardens 

 and cultivated grounds, where it commits much 

 damage, by gnawing and eating the plants, and the 

 leaves of shrubs. To young trees of almost every 

 kind this animal is particularly injurious; for it not 

 only nips off all the buds, but also peels the tender" 

 rind, which it eats with great avidity. 



Amongst their native wilds, in the mountains, 

 the Goats pick up a sufficiency of food for their 

 full support, even in the midst of apparent barren- 

 ness. They eat the different kinds of stunted 

 mountain-grasses and shrubs, particularly wild 

 thyme, and some of the dwarf species of willow: 

 they likewise browse on several kinds of alpine 

 moss and lichens. 



Although, in a wild state, the Goat is naturally 

 an animal of shy and timid disposition; yet when 

 once it is domesticated, it seems rather to court 

 than to shun the society of mankind. It will fol- 

 low persons from whom it has received attention, 

 to considerable distances; and will take food even 

 from the hands of strangers. Whilst young, it is a 

 most sprightly and vivacious creature; and even 

 when it has attained a mature age, it does not 

 altogether lose its sprightliness, although the 



shaggy 



