THE COMMON IBEX. 4Q7 



short and brown j the head is small and compressed ; the horns 

 usually weigh from eight to ten pounds, and measure from two 

 to three feet in length, but they occasionally attain a much 

 greater length, and reach nearly to the tail -, the hoofs are very 

 small, and the tail short. 



The favourite haunts of the ibex are the most inaccessible 

 parts of the mountains, the old males generally seeking more 

 elevated places than the females and younger males. The 

 animal is not only strong and agile, but owing to the facility 

 with which it can unerringly throw itself on to small surfaces, 

 and the correctness with which it balances itself thereon by a 

 skilful and instant adjustment of all the parts of its body, so 

 that the whole weight is immediately poised, firmly and securely, 

 upon the true centre of gravity, enable it to ascend the steepest 

 rocks with ease and rapidity. With two or three bounds, in 

 which it seems scarcely to touch the almost perpendicular rock, 

 it makes an ascent of many feet. On the heights, it feeds on 

 the scanty vegetation. In the night, however, it descends to 

 pasture in the woods, but at sunrise it again seeks the mountain 

 summits, and associates with others of its species in herds of 

 from ten to fifteen individuals. The most frequent cry of the 

 ibex is a short whistle, but when irritated it utters a snorting 

 noise. 



The female usually brings forth only one at a birth. The 

 young kids are of an ashy grey colour. The flesh is greatly 

 esteemed, especially that of the kid. The skin and fleece are 

 used for various purposes. The pursuit of the ibex is as 

 perilous as that of the chamois. The hunters must possess 

 great courage, strength, and agility, to encounter and surmount 

 the dangers of the chase. They are excellent marksmen, but 

 their prey can only be approached in the most stealthy manner. 

 It frequently happens that the dogs, which are trained to follow 

 the ibex to the loftiest crags and precipices, lose their footing, 

 and are killed by falling from the great height. 



