THE MOUNTAIN GOAT AS WE SAW HIM 99 



About six goats out of every seven are pure white, 

 but the coat of the seventh contains in its tail, and along 

 the pelvic crest, a few scattering, dark-brown hairs. This 

 is noticeable on kids in their first year, as well as on 

 adult animals. Occasionally the tail of a goat contains 

 so many dark hairs that the normal color is really 

 changed; but it should be remembered that these occa- 

 sional occurrences of brown hairs do not indicate any 

 specific differences. 



The goat is very stockily built, for stability and 

 strength rather than for agility and speed. The long 

 spinal processes of his dorsal vertebrae give him a hump 

 somewhat like that of a bison ; and like a bison he carries 

 his head low, and has short, thick legs, terminating in 

 big hoofs. His body is big and full, and his sides stick 

 out with plenty. He can carry his head above the line of 

 his neck and shoulders, but he seldom does so save when 

 frightened, or looking up. 



His horns are jet black, round, very smooth for the 

 terminal half, and sharp as skewers. When the goat 

 fights, he gets close up to his assailant's forequarters, and 

 with a powerful thrust diagonally upward, punctures his 

 enemy's abdomen. In attacking, the movements of the 

 goat are exceedingly jerky and spasmodic, advancing and 

 whirling away again with the quick jumps of the mod- 

 ern prize-fighter. The horns are not long, usually rang- 

 ing in length from 9 to n inches by $$4 inches in basal 

 circumference. The longest pair on record is owned by 

 Mr. Clive Phillips-Wolley, of Victoria, B. C., and its 

 length is eleven and one-half inches. 



