CHAMOIS 421 



alone or in twos and threes. The bucks avoid the kids, old bucks as a rule living 

 entirely alone. A herd of chamois forms a most interesting picture, but as soon 

 as they see a gunner all the members make off, and even if the sportsman does not 

 move, continue their flight up the mountain, looking cautiously around, and ii 

 in summer not returning to the same place that day. One of their favourite 

 occupations is sliding down the slopes of snow. On one occasion several chamois 

 were observed at the top of a snow-field ; one slid half-way down, the second 

 drew up its hind-legs in a crouching attitude, worked with its body until it was 

 in motion, and then slid down the slope with great rapidity. Several others 

 followed suit, and this performance lasted about three-quarters of an hour. 



Chamois are watchful in the highest degree, and any bird of medium size is 

 looked upon by the old does with great distrust. They do not usually heed the 

 calls of small birds, but when a thrush gives its warning note the whole family of 

 chamois rises at once. The call of the black woodpecker startles them for a 

 moment, but the scream of the jay produces a great effect ; on the other hand the 

 call-note of the nutcracker troubles them little, as does that of the jackdaw, unless 

 a whole flock of these birds alarm them with their ear-piercing cries. Occasionally 

 the call of the ptarmigan attracts their attention, while that of the rook excites in 

 the doe signs of feverish agitation, and if the herd hear the voice of the golden- 

 eagle they are thoroughly frightened. The mountain-chamois is shyer than the 

 forest- chamois. Both are able to find certain spots a second time, to which they 

 know the nearest way. A place where one chamois has met with an accident is 

 sure to be avoided by the rest, especially if the carcase remain there for any time. 

 Good pastures and salt-rocks are frequented by these animals by day and night, 

 and even great changes — as a fall of rock — cannot make them mistake their way. 

 If a pasture be destroyed they will seek a new one, becoming as accustomed to 

 the change after a few days as if they had been there for years. Although 

 chamois are nowise formed for swimming, in case of need they do not fear the 

 water. During summer they lead a pleasant life, but in autumn when much 

 hunted they become very wary and retire to the higher mountain regions. In the 

 latter part of September they are again left in peace. Meanwhile several of the 

 does and kids have formed into herds, with bucks of three or four years old ; the 

 older bucks still wandering about in twos and threes, but later on joining the herd, 

 at first shyly, but gradually becoming bolder, and performing all kinds of amorous 

 antics with the does, and fighting harmlessly among themselves. Pairing-time 

 begins about the 20th of October, when the bucks are feverishly restless. During 

 the breeding-season the bucks get so thin that they look nothing but skin and 

 bone, and after it is over they retire — especially the old ones — to quiet places 

 lower down the mountain-side. 



Meanwhile winter has set in, and as the season advances the scarcer grows 

 their food, especially when the snow becomes frozen ; and in hard winters many 

 perish, although they shelter in the pine-forests, where they feed on the pine-needles 

 Occasionally a large branch freed from the weight of snow springs back into 

 position, taking with it the chamois which has become entangled by the horns, so 

 that it dies suspended in the air, the skeleton or skull being found in the spring. 

 Among the enemies of the chamois, man ranks first ; it is the poacher, however, 



