28 
NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 
well beaten path along the summit-ridge, passing close to the 
snow fields and showing constant usage. 
WINTER RANGES. 
In winter the goat suffers from the severity of the storms on 
the mountain tops and the limit of its increase is, in the long run, 
dependent on the food supply available during this season. This 
is also true of most of our large animals and the elimination of 
the weak takes place during the terrible blizzards of winter and 
early spring. 
In much of the southern range of the goat the use of the 
larger valleys for farming has undoubtedly interfered seriously 
with their lower feeding grounds. While the loss of these winter 
ranges is more serious for other game, even the goat feels the 
approach of civilization. The high valleys, however, still remain 
untouched and a certain number of hardy individuals will winter 
successfully in close proximity to settlements if not too much 
hunted. This is notably the case in the Bitter Root Valley, where 
goat are often found within sight of the town of Hamilton, 
Montana. 
In winter the ciuestion of water supply is, of course, eliminated 
and at this season many ranges are well stocked with goat which, 
in summer, are deserted on account of lack of water. The goat 
travels so slowly that, aside from the danger of venturing far 
from the rocks, long daily journeys to and from a feeding ground 
are cjuite impossible. 
As to food supply, we are apt to think of the mountain tops 
as barren in comparison with the valleys ; but in a very mountain- 
ous region, such as British Columbia, the reverse is often true. 
On the higher mountain slopes and ridges are to be found the 
best pasturage and the most sunny resting places. The valleys 
receive the sun for a much shorter portion of the day than do the 
higher ridges and while the mountain tops are above the fogs, 
mists and clouds often darken the low country. It is noticeable 
that domestic cattle, sheep and horses in a mountainous country, 
are very partial to the high lands, seldom remaining voluntarily 
in the valleys and river bottoms. In such a country the first im- 
pulse of a grazing animal is to climb high. Anyone who has 
tried to hunt horses which have strayed from camp, is apt to 
be familiar with this habit. 
It is the inaccessible character of the country inhabited by the 
goat and not his wariness or agility, which has made goat hunt- 
