THE RUMINANT ORDER. 
255 
The Common Ibex ( Capra ibex) (Fig. 88) is about tbe size of 
a Goat. Its winter coat is composed of long, rough hair, covering 
a soft, fine, and abundant wool, which it preserves during the 
summer. It is light brown above, and white underneath, with a 
black dorsal band, and a brown traverse line, which crosses the 
flanks. A rough black beard hangs from its chin ; its horns are 
blackish, with two longitudinal ridges, intersected by projecting 
and transversal ribs. 
These animals may be found on nearly all the lofty mountains 
Fig. 88.— The Common Ibex ( Capra ibex , Gray). 
of Europe, and keep to a still higher zone than the Chamois. 
They have animated and brilliant eyes, mobile ears, and a proud 
and independent demeanour. Making their residence on peaks 
bordering on the eternal snows, they feed on the scanty grass, 
the buds of the Alpine willow, dwarf birch, and rhododendrons. 
Their secureness of footing is such that they will jump with 
perfect confidence to a point of rock only of sufficient size to 
contain their four feet, leaping down to such a position from 
a height of from twenty to thirty feet, on which they will remain 
