THE COMMON GOAT. 



to run wild on the rocks in Caernarvonshire, during such 

 seasons as they were not in request ; but when needed, they 

 were either shot with bullets or hunted with dogs. These 

 Welsh goats, which are now rarer on the mountains than 

 formerly, are much larger, and their hair is longer than those 

 of England. Pennant saw a pair of their horns which were 

 three feet two inches long, and three feet from tip to tip. The 

 ordinary colour of the domestic goat is black and white, or a 

 dull light reddish brown, with a black line down the back. The 

 beard is often very long, particularly in old buck or he-goats. 



The goat leaps on to narrow ledges and pinnacles of rocks 

 presenting a surface scarcely large enough to afford it standing 

 room, yet it does stand upon them, and remains in that position 

 as firm as the rock itself. In performing this astonishing feat, 

 it does not exhibit any fear or hesitation, there is no pause, 

 no preparation. It is done instantly, the animal appearing 

 to have the greatest confidence in its powers of balancing 

 itself upon the smallest surface, and as soon as its feet touch 

 the ground. 



" Up to the rock he ran, and thereon flew 

 Like a wild goat, leaping from hill to hill, 

 And dancing on the craggy cliffs at will ; 

 That deadly danger seem'd in all men's sight, 

 To tempt such steps, where footing was so ill." 



(Spenser's Faery Queene. Book V. canto 9.) 



