THE CHAMOIS. 



27 



Dr. J. Anderson remarks of the TAKIX, or BUDORCAS, another allied species, ' Major Stewart 

 informs me that it is found in all the high ranges of the north-east of Debrooghur, and is far from 

 uncommon. The Mislmees, with their very inferior appliances to shoot and catch them, are, never- 

 theless, frequently dressed in their skins, or have a part of a skin with the hair on as an ornament, 

 which would seem to indicate that they are numerous. . . . They are seen in pairs, and some- 

 times in herds of twenty or more. They are swift of foot and good climbers." 



In Formosa and Japan there are also Goat-like Antelopes, that from the former locality being 

 named after Mr. Swinhoe, who discovered it. Its horns are short and conical, its brown fur harsh 

 and crisp. Both closely resemble the Cambing-outan. There is still another with a long tail 

 inhabiting Northern China. 



The MAZAMA, or Mountain Goat of California and the Bockv Mountains, is an allied species, 

 with short, thick, conical, recurved horns, 

 and long, straight, soft hair of a white colour, 

 specially abundant in the region of the throat, 

 shoulders, sides, and tail. Its size is that of 

 a large Sheep, which it much resembles in phy- 

 siognomy. The flesh has an unpleasant musky 

 flavour, the skin is thick and spongy, at the same 

 time that the hair is considered of but little 

 value. 



THE CHAMOIS.* 



This well-known Goat-like Antelope in- 

 habits the snow-clad mountains of Europe, 

 from the Pyrenees to the Caucasus, ascending 

 during the summer, and in winter going below 

 the line of snow in search of food. Both sexes 

 possess horns black, short, and cylindrical 

 rising perpendicularly and parallel from the 

 forehead for some distance, then forming a 

 small hook directed backwards to their pointed 

 tips. These rarely exceed seven inches in 

 length. The female is slightly smaller than 

 the male, which stands a little over two feet, at 

 the shoulder. In winter the colour of the 

 lengthy, hairy coat is dark brown, which be- 

 comes a brownish-yellow in the summer, a 

 darker streak along the back alone remaining. 

 The head is pale yellow, darker from the nose upwards to between the ears and around the eyes. 

 Behind the horns and between the ears is a pair of peculiar glands, opening externally, the function 

 of which is unknown. The voice of the species is a rough bleat under all ordinary circumstances : 

 but when the one which watches whilst the others feed and there is always found to be one such in 

 every herd finds cause to fear, it gives a shrill whistle as a danger signal to its companions. 



The senses of sight, hearing, and smell of the Chamois are developed to a maximum, and this fact, 

 taken in association with the animal's great sure-footedness among the lofty, snow-covered Alps, in 

 which it has its home, makes hunting it a task of no mean difficulty and danger. Dogs are of 110 ser- 

 vice on the rocky eminences to which the Chamois will retreat when it is pursued, and the sportsman 

 ! to rely upon his own surefootedness and courage in climbing the steep and slippery precipices, 

 s tempted by the sight of game. If so hard pressed that it is driven to some height 

 beyond which it cannot go, it is said that it will precipitate itself upon its pursuer, sending him down 

 into the depths below. Besides man, the eagle is an enemy whose constant endeavour is to obtain the 

 kids from their watchful mothers. Its skin is much valued for its toughness combined with its 

 pliability. Its flesh is also greatly esteemed. 



* Rupicapra traffus. 



HEAD OF THE CHAMOIS. 



