THE MOUNTAIN GOAT. 



Aflocerus coliinibiamts. — Coues. 



THE White Goat is confined to tlie loftiest peaks of the Rocky 

 Mountains : it is not known south of Colorado, and is prob- 

 ably rare south of Washington Territory, but is found to the north- 

 ward as far as Alaska. 



In size this species about equals the domestic sheep, which it 

 somewhat resembles in shape, but the long spines of the dorsal 

 vertebrae give it the appearance of having a slight hump just be- 

 hind the shoulders, and it is thus not particularly graceful in form. 

 The horns are from six to eight inches long, awl shaped, ringed 

 at the base and bending slightly backward. In color they, with 

 the hoofs, are shining black like polished ebony. The hair is long 

 except on the face and lower legs, and is underlaid by a fine soft 

 wool, the whole fleece being snow-white in color. The chin is 

 ornamented with a beard-like tuft of long hair, as in the common 

 goat. 



Notwithstanding its common name, this animal is regarded by 

 naturalists as an antelope, and not a goat at all. It is almost nev^ei 

 hunted, and even in those districts where it is most abundant, it is 

 one of the rarest of mammals. Besides this, it is said to be most 

 shy and vigilant, and is not to be approached unless some accident 

 favors the hunter. The true home of this species is among the 

 loftiest pinnacles of the snow-covered mountains, above timber 

 line where no vegetation is to be found save mosses, lichens and a 

 few Alpine shrubs and grasses. Here the goats live a quiet, peace- 

 ful life, undisturbed except by an occasional hunter, from whom 

 they ordinarily escape without difficulty by fleeing to the neighbor- 

 ing heights. The few that are annually killed are only secured 

 after the most toilsome pursuit. As their flesh is dry and taste- 

 less, they are rarely disturbed by the Indians, who can always 

 obtain better meat at a less expense of time and labor. 



