278 ANIMAXS OF THE 



they at once seem fixed and secure. In fact, to 

 see them jump in this manner, they seem rather 

 to have wings than legs ; some, indeed, pretend 

 to say that they use their horns for climbing, but 

 this wants confirmation. Certain it is that their 

 legs alone are formed for this arduous employ- 

 ment, the hinder being rather longer than the 

 former, and bending in such a manner, that when 

 they descend upon them, they break the force of 

 the fall. It is also asserted, that when they feed, 

 one of them always stands as sentinel ; but how 

 far this may be true is questionable. For certain, 

 while they feed, there are some of them that keep 

 continually gazing round the rest ; but this is 

 practised among all gregarious animals, so that, 

 when they see any danger, they warn the rest of 

 the herd of its approach. During the rigours of 

 winter the chamois sleeps in the thicker forests, 

 and feeds upon the shrubs and the buds of the 

 pine tree. It sometimes turns up the snow with 

 its foot to look for herbage, and where it is green 

 makes a delicious repast. The more craggy and 

 uneven the forest, the more this animal is pleased 

 with the abode, which thus adds to its security. 

 The hunting the chamois is very laborious, and 

 extremely difficult. The most usual way is to 

 hide behind the clefts of the rocks, and shoot 

 them. This, however, must be done with great 

 precaution ; the sportsman must creep for a vast 

 way upon his belly, in silence, and take also the 

 advantage of the wind, which if it blow from him 

 they would instantly perceive. When arrived at 

 a proper distance, he then advances his piece, 



