THE CHAMOIS 
T HIS sporting little animal is found all the way along the 
Caucasian Range, as a rule not very far from the timber line. 
The Caucasian race does not differ very much from those of 
Central and Western Europe; but these chamois are known to 
exist as far south as Lake Van, in Asia Minor, and it would be 
interesting if some wandering sportsman would bring a 
complete specimen from there, to ascertain if they possess any special 
characteristics. 
The horns of the Caucasian chamois do not seem to run quite so long 
as those of Central Europe, and it is a pity that an animal so attractive to 
hunt does not carry a finer trophy. It is no easy matter to distinguish 
between the male and female at shooting range; the horns of the latter 
are, however, rather more slender, and as a rule curve over more at the 
tips. 
In the Caucasus the chamois is more plentiful than any other kind of 
game and is not inordinately wild; as well as being a nice beast to hunt, 
his meat is a useful addition to the commissariat. The so-called chamois 
“ beards,” esteemed by continental sportsmen and worn as trophies in 
the hat, are really a collection of the long fringe of hair growing down 
the spine; to get this of any length a specimen must be killed in the cold 
weather. 
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