The Sierra Nevada 303 
strongholds of the Spanish ibex ; and, curiously, the ibex is the 
solitary example of big game that these mountains can boast. 
Differing in geological formation from other mountain-systems 
of southern Spain, the Sierra Nevdda shelters neither deer 
of any kind—red, fallow, or roe—nor wild-boar. The ibex, on 
the other hand, must be counted as no mean asset, and though 
re r 
€ 
LAMMERGEYER (('ypaétus barbatus) 
i 
A glorious denizen of Sierra Nevada, 
totally unprotected, they yet hold their own—a fair average 
stock survives along the line of the Veleta, Alcazdba, and 
Mulahacen. This survival is due to the vast area and rugged 
regions over which (in relatively small numbers) the wild-goats 
are scattered ; but even more so to the antiquated muzzle-loading 
smooth-bores hitherto employed against them. That moment 
when cheap, repeating cordite rifles shall have fallen into the 
hands of the mountain-peasantry will sound the death-knell of 
the ibex. 
