52 WOLF'S WILD ANIMALS. 



wings he sails majestically along, ascending at times above the snow-capped peaks 

 of the mighty alps, gazing with an undimmed eye even at the fierce light of the noon- 

 day sun, or searching, with penetrating gaze, every spot upon the rugged mountain 

 side where perchance an animal might find a resting place, which by some sudden 

 stoop he might seize in his talons, and bear away, to satisfy for a moment his 

 voracious appetite. Hardly a flap is needed of those mighty wings to bear him 

 onward, and the rudder-like tail, by almost imperceptible movements, guides his 

 swift course. Monarch of those airy fastnesses is he, and as he glides above the 

 glistening lakes • that mirror his passing form, or looks down upon the valleys 

 nestling at the feet of the towering mountains far, far beneath him, he seems to 

 rejoice in his pride of strength and in his freedom, and screams forth at intervals a 

 shrill cry of exultation. But suddenly his onward flight is arrested, for the quick 

 eye has discerned something, and he seems to consider some course of action as he 

 makes a few uncertain movements.' 



Springing lightly along the side of an almost inaccessible cliff, jumping from 

 point to point, and alighting often upon ledges so narrow that even the slender hoofs 

 hardly find space to rest, a chamois . with her single young is seeking a better 

 pasturing ground. The little thing follows closely in the rear of its only protector, 

 imitating all her movements, and jumping at one and the same time, at the 

 apparent imminent risk of dislodging both, and of falling headlong into the awful 

 abyss beneath. Yet nothing can be surer than their foothold, and although the 

 kid has seen but a few short weeks of life, it traverses the difficult rocks as easily 

 as though it possessed the practice and experience of many summers, and seems 

 to feel as secure as if no precipice yawned beneath, and no deadly foe soared 

 above. 



Who so watchful as a mother ? Even as she springs to a somewhat wider 

 ledge, ever on her guard that no harm should overtake her young, she spies the 

 mighty bird, checking his course, and prepares to resist the attack which she 

 knows so well her enemy is meditating. . With raised head and outstretched nos- 

 trils she breathes defiance, and impatiently strikes the ground with her fore-foot; 

 while the little one, apprized by its mother's movements that danger is near, 

 cowers behind and partly beneath her. Ah, that tender creature would be a fine 

 prize for the Lammergeyer to bear away to some lofty crag and tear in pieces at 

 its leisure, and he does not long hesitate to attempt its capture. 



