STORY OF THE CHAMOIS. 
The chamois is a strongly-built animal, with relatively long and stout 
limbs, and a very short stumpy tail; in height it stands about two feet at 
the withers. It is closely akin to the antelope. 
The general notion is that the chamois is an essentially Alpine animal; 
that is, one frequenting the glaciers and snowy peaks above the forest-level. 
This, however, is a mistaken idea; the truth being that the chamois is really 
a forest-dwelling animal, and that most individuals of the species live from 
year’s end to year’s end within the limits* of the forest. A certain number 
during the summer always leave, however, the main flock, to- take up their 
abode for a period of weeks or months among the glaciers and snow-fields 
above the upper limits of forests. These adventurous individuals are known 
to the hunters as glacier-chamois, in contradistinction to wood-chamois; but a 
short spell of severe weather is sufficient to- drive even these back to the 
shelter of the forests. The favorite haunts of the chamois are the western 
and north-western slopes of the Alps in summer; while in the winter they 
prefer the spots with an easterly or southerly aspect. 
Chamois associate together in herds of fifteen or twenty individuals. 
They repose during the night, but with the first glimmer of dawn commence 
feeding; towards the middle of the day they again seek the shelter of rocks 
or trees, where they lie in the shade till evening, when they once more issue 
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