4 2 3 ALPINE EUROPE 



time the doe has generally but one kid, later on two, or rarely three. Although an 

 inhabitant of the highest forest-zones, the chamois is distributed over all the Alpine 

 region ; nor does it live exclusively in open regions, seeming to prefer the quiet 

 of the forests to the bare parts of the mountains, and liking to retire to the 

 woods for rest, although some of those born in the regions near the snow-line are 

 said to prefer the rocks. The chamois is a diurnal animal, seeking the pastures early 

 in the morning, where it grazes until nine or ten in the forenoon. After a short 

 noonday rest it wanders to some forest thicket or among the snow, where it lies 

 down to ruminate. Between four and five o'clock the herd slowly wends its way 

 to a pasture where it remains till nightfall, the members lying down in picturesque 

 groups. By moonlight the chamois prolong their grazing until ten or eleven in 

 the evening; and after having licked the salt-rocks in the forenoon seek springs 

 where they may quench their thirst, although if necessary they are capable of 

 going without water for a long time. While grazing, chamois often pick up roots 

 and other indigestible substances, and when licking their coat while ruminating 

 will often swallow a few hairs. Such foreign matter collects in the stomach into 

 a so-called " chamois-ball," which sometimes attains the size of a walnut or an egg. 

 Excitement much influences the appearance of a chamois; when grazing quietly 

 it is by no means a beautiful animal, but the moment it scents a human being it 

 becomes transformed, and when speeding along, every movement is alive with 

 strength and grace. During flight chamois are most active in climbing and 

 leaping, surmounting every difficulty and taking advantage of every corner. In 

 unknown localities thej^ will pry about for some time on every side until they 

 find the safest and easiest way ; and if cut off by a ravine, will spring across to 

 stand firmly on a spot no larger than the palm of the hand. When pursued they 

 may sometimes slip with one or two feet, without stopping in their flight, and 

 even if on rare occasions tiny mi-- their spring and fall into the abyss, they come 

 to no harm unless the descent be of unusual depth. In ascending a rock covered 

 with loose stones one of the flock troes first, the second not following till 

 the loose stones have ceased to fall. When descending steep mountain ridges, 

 they look awkward, but when danger causes them to hurry, the}- will spring 

 from 30 to 45 feet, and if there be no other way of escape will even slide down 

 a steep face of rock by spreading out their legs to diminish the rapidity of their 

 descent. 



Very remarkable are the climbing-lessons given by the doe to her kid. 

 Taking it first of all to some neighbouring meadow or grassy spot, she will play- 

 fully run off to a hill close by, leaving the kid uttering plaintive cries, which she 

 answers in a low voice. If the kid refuses to follow and continues to cry, the doe 

 hurries back, jumping around until she induces it to follow. In a few days she 

 will spring on to a rock more difficult of access, and although the kid will bleat 

 plaintively after an unsuccessful leap, the mother continues her encouragements 

 until the young one follows. In about four weeks the kid learns to run, climb, 

 and jump with facility, and at the end of three months follows the mother any- 

 where. Kids of one or two years old, which as a rule are still with the doe, take 

 part in the education of the younger ones ; when old enough, they begin to form 

 herds by themselves, the bucks keeping at first apart, and roaming about either 



