CHAMOIS. 265 
Swiss and Transylvanian Alps, the Caucasus, the Taurus Range, and in the 
mountains of Georgia. The Pyrenean izard is a smaller form, with shorter horns 
and a more foxy-red colour than the typical Alpine gemse; and the variety found 
in the Caucasus, where it is known as atchi, has also certain distinctive differences. 
Neither of these can, however, be regarded as more than local races. At the 
present day the chamois has become rare in the Swiss Alps, but in the Eastern 
Alps, in the districts of Bavaria, Salzburg, Styria, and Carinthia, it is far more 
common; while it is abundant on the precipitous summits of the central Car- 
pathians. Fossil remains of the chamois are found in caverns at low elevations in 
several parts of the European continent, thus indicating very different climatic 
conditions from those now prevailing. 
As regards its habits, the general notion is that the chamois is 
an essentially Alpine animal; that is, one frequenting the glaciers 
and snowy peaks above the forest-level. This, however, according to Brehm, is a 
mistaken idea; the truth being that the chamois is really a forest-dwelling animal, 
and that most individuals of the species live from year’s end to year’s end within 
the limits of the forest. A certain number during the summer always leave, 
however, the main flock, to take up their abode for a period of weeks or months 
among the glaciers and snow-fields above the upper limits of forests. These 
adventurous individuals are known to the hunters as glacier-chamois, in 
contradistinction to wood-chamois; but a short spell of severe weather is 
sufficient to drive even these back to the shelter of the forests. The favourite 
haunts of the chamois are the western and north-western slopes of the Alps in 
summer; while in the winter they prefer the spots with an easterly or southerly 
aspect. 
Chamois are essentially gregarious animals, usually associating together in 
herds of fifteen or twenty individuals. They repose during the night, but with 
the first glimmer of dawn commence feeding; towards the middle of the day 
they again seek the shelter of rocks or trees, where they lie in the shade till 
evening, when they once more issue forth to feed. 
Their chief nutriment consists of lichens and the scanty mountain herbage. 
During the greater part of the year the old males live a solitary life apart 
from the flocks; but during the pairing-season in October and November they 
join the flocks of females, from which they drive away the young bucks. During 
this period the old bucks engage in fierce contests among themselves, which ocea- 
sionally terminate fatally. 
The young, generally one but occasionally two in number, are born in May 
or June, after a gestation of about twenty-eight weeks, and are clothed with a 
thick woolly coat of a reddish colour. When but a day old they are able to follow 
their dams almost anywhere; and in three months first show their horns. In 
three years they attain their full size; and it is stated that the span of life of 
a chamois will extend from twenty to twenty-five years, although this requires 
confirmation. 
All who have seen chamois in their native haunts are agreed as to their extreme 
agility and wariness; and their sure-footedness has become proverbial. When 
alarmed, they utter a shrill whistling sound, which at once sets the whole flock in 
Habits. 
