THE CHAMOIS 



{Rupicapra tragus) 



THE Chamois is of interest in various ways, especially as the type of a 

 group of non-African mountain Antelopes, which in general appearance 

 and habits closely approach the Goats indeed, they are often called 

 Goat-Antelopes and as being, with the exception of the Saiga of the 

 Russian steppes, the only Antelope found in Europe. To Europe, 

 indeed, the Chamois is naturally confined, inhabiting the mountains, 

 in which it is widely distributed, from the Pyrenees, where it is known 

 as the Izard, the Alps, where it is also called Gems, to the Caucasus. 



In size the Chamois is about equal to an ordinary Goat, standing 

 about two feet at the shoulder ; its coat varies according to the 

 seasons, being longer and nearly black in winter, while short and 

 brown in summer. There is an under-coat of thick wool, and the 

 animal feels cold but little, though it has a strong objection to heat. 



The sexes, as in all this group, are remarkably alike, both pos- 

 sessing horns of very similar appearance. The feet of the Chamois are 

 especially adapted for mountain-climbing, the sole being hollow by 

 reason of the outer edge of each hoof being higher than the inner, 

 and the animal is celebrated for its remarkable sure-footedness, being 

 always found high up in the mountains, and commonly on ground 

 very dangerous for the hunter. 



It is usually in herds of a score or less (though old bucks are 

 usually solitary), and keeps as near the snows as practicable; but in 

 winter it is naturally forced to lower levels in search of its food, 

 which consists of the various Alpine plants. The pairing season is in 

 autumn, and then the bucks fight savagely ; the kids are born in 

 spring, being sometimes single and sometimes twins, and follow the 

 doe almost immediately. 



Chamois, as is well known, are keenly hunted by the inhabitants 

 of the mountains they frequent, and the " Gems-bart " (Chamois-beard) 

 is one of the most highly-prized trophies of the Alpine hunter. As 

 the animal, of course, has no beard, it is made of a tuft of the long hair 

 which grows along the back. The enthusiasm with which the Chamois 



