40 
THE IBEX. 
and loftiest crags. In common with all the v^' 
rieties of the wild goat, he perceives the ap' 
proach of the hunter at an incredible diS' 
tance ; announces the danger to his coiW' 
panions by a sort of whistle, and betakes hiov 
self to the most inaccessible retreats, amon^ 
which despair sometimes impels him boldly W 
face his rash pursuer on the very edge of soin^ 
pathless precipice, where the animal has bed' 
known to rush headlong on the hunter witl' 
such fury that both have rolled over into tb^- 
abyss and miserably perished. It is also sai^l 
that when driven to extremity it will fling it' 
self from some steep ridge, and falling on it^ 
horns spring up again and escape unhurt froif 
its pursuers. 
Two or three hunters usually associate iP 
this perilous occupation. Armed with rifleSj 
and furnished with small bags of provisions^ 
they erect a miserable hut of turf among ths 
heights, where they pass the night without 
