i 



•j-l Xi:W YORK Z()()L(JGICAL S()C11-:TV. 



nihhlino- at small plants, is on the slides when the tjrass first 

 appears and it is ])r()l)ahle that to this habit the j^reatest mortal- 

 ity of tliis animal is due, as many are killed each spring- by the 

 avalanches on these snow slides. 



The sheep is an active, wary and fleet-footed animal, fully as 

 well e(|uip])ed as the deer to escai)e 1)\- ability from its enemies 

 and is not dependent for safety on a refuj^e beyond the reach of 

 other animals. The goat on the other hand, is heavy, powerful. 

 clums\-. slow moving" and somewhat stui)id and does not dare to 

 venture \er\ far from its inaccessinle rocks. It thrives amono^ 

 precipitous cliffs, which are everywhere known among hunters 

 as "goat rocks" and arc recognizable as such at a glance. 



LOCAL DISTRllU I lo.V. 



In a mountainous countr\ it is perfectly easy to say where goat 

 are to be found, if there are any in the neighborhood. They de- 

 scend, of course, into the upper Hunts of the forests, but always 

 keep near to clilifs to which they can retire when attacked. Some- 

 times swim rivers and have been killed while crossing the Stickene 

 far into the forests. Salt-licks have been found in the hillsides, 

 where great holes have been eaten out by these animals. The 

 trails which lead to some of the licks in British Columbia are 

 worn so deeply as to resemble buffalo trails. Goat pass through 

 the forests and lower slopes of the mountains in moving from one 

 localitv to another, but this of course, is exceptional. They some- 

 times swim rivers and have been killed while crossing the Stickine 

 River in British Columbia, a wide and rapid stream. 



So complete is the protection tlu' goat finds in broken rocks 

 and precipices, that they are practically out of danger from any 

 animal ai)proaching from below, except bear, which frequently 

 lie in wait for them and occasionally capture an unwary indi- 

 vidual. The eagles take a very heavy toll from the young goat 

 in the spring. 



The difficulty of reaching the mountain to])s is, of course, a 

 l^rotection against man. but the cons]:)icuous color and the slow 

 movements of the animal make it a comparatively easy victim 

 when once reached by hard climbing. 



W.VTER SUPPLY. 



The question of water supply on the mountains inhabited by 

 goat has a most important bearing on the distribution of the ani- 

 mal. In a large portion of the southern range of the goat, little 



