WILD SHEEP AND GOATS 231 



bestowed upon this Antelope by those who go forth to hunt it, as its 

 flesh does not ofi'er any great attraction for the purpose of food, and 

 excepting that a nicely mounted head may in after years be regarded 

 as a well-won trophy, there is little more to recommend this animal 

 to the hunter. It is splendidly adapted for frequenting high, 

 precipitous situations among the mountains, and it is wonderfully 

 sure-footed as well as of active disposition. A more sluggish animal 

 would never be likely to be sought after to the same extent as this 

 attractive species, and although it has acquired a reputation by 

 reason of the so-called " Chamois " leather which is made from its 

 skin, this is ill-deserved and erroneous, because this kind of leather 

 is prepared for the most part from the skins of domestic beasts such 

 as Deer, Sheep and Goats. 



It travels about in companies consisting of several individuals, 

 but these do not usually number more than about twenty. The old 

 bucks, however, do not congregate with the herd, preferring to 

 remain solitary. Although it will as far as possible restrict its 

 haunts to the high mountain ranges on the snow line, or as near 

 same as possible, when difficulty is experienced in obtaining an 

 adequate food supply the Chamois must of necessity forsake the 

 high altitudes and come down towards the valley to feed. The food 

 is made up of various kinds of Alpine plants, the mere mention 

 of which is sufficient to inspire with enthusiasm any one possessing 

 a knowledge of the flowering plants of the Alps. 



When the pairing season of the Chamois is in full swing during 

 the Autumn, then it is that battles-royal may be witnessed between 

 the bucks, the latter displaying savage tactics for the possession of 

 a female. It is in the Spring that the mother gives birth to one, or 

 at most two, kids, and the young follow her about very soon after 

 birth. 



This is, as may be supposed, a wary animal, and when a 

 company of them are feeding on some lonely mountain-side pre- 

 caution is taken to depute one of the herd to act the part of scout 

 or sentry. This individual is posted on some prominent elevation 

 from which a general view of the surrounding country may be 

 obtained, and as soon as anything occurs which necessitates a 

 signal being given to the beasts who are busily engaged feeding, 

 the sentry sounds an alarm by making a loud hissing noise. This 

 is quite sufficient to put the rest of the company on their guard, for 

 feeding operations are immediately stopped, and the beasts gallop 



