After Chamois in the Asturias 291 



a foxy-red colour, and the horns measured from seven to eight 

 inches over the bend. 



Chamois are certainly very much easier to obtain than ibex. 

 Not only are they tenfold more abundant, but, owing to their 

 diurnal habits, they are easily seen while feeding in broad daylight 

 (often in large herds) on the open hillsides. They never enter 

 caves or crevices of the rocks as ibex habitually do. 



Chamois might undoubtedly be obtained by stalking, tliough 

 that art is not practised in Spain. The excessi\'ely rugged nature 

 of the ground is rather against it ; for one's view l^eing often so 

 restricted, there is dang;er while stalking chamois, which have 

 been espied from a distance, of "jumping" others previously 

 unseen though much nearer. Driving, as above described, is the 

 method usually adopted. Few beaters comparatively are required ; 

 the positions of flankers and stops are often clearly indicated by 

 the natural confioruration of the crests. 



Dogs are occasionally employed. The game, in their terror 

 of canine pursuers, will push forward into precipices whence there 

 is no exit ; and then, rather than attempt to turn, will spring 

 down to certain death. 



The best foot-gear is the Spanish alpargata, or hemp-soled 

 sandal. They will withstand two or three days' wear on the 

 roughest of rocks and only cost some eighteenpence a pair. 

 Nailed boots are useless and dangerous. 



Similar days follow^ed, some more successful, others less, but 

 all laborious in the last degree. Both limbs and lungs had well- 

 nigh given out ere the time arrived to strike camp and abandon 

 our eyrie. 



During the descent to Bulnes we noticed a goat which, in 

 feeding along the crags, had reached a spot whence it could 

 neither retreat nor escape, and by bleating cries distinctly 

 displayed its fear. Now that goat w^as only worth one dollar, yet 

 its owner spent a solid hour, risking his own life, in crawling along 

 ledges and shelves of a fearful rock-wall ('pared) to save the 

 wretched animal. We looked on speechless, fascinated with 

 horror — at times pulses well-nigh stood still ; (»ven oui- hunters 

 recognised that this was a rash performance. Yet that goat was 

 reached, a lasso attached to its neck, and it was drawn upwards to 

 safety. 



This incident occurred on the Naranjo de Bulnes, a dolomite 



