CHAMOIS. 
261 
amid storm-swept canons and beetling crags, amid steel-blue glaciers and snowy- 
peaks, where the silence is seldom broken save by the rush of mountain torrent, 
the howling of the storm, or the crashing of the treacherous avalanche,—here, far 
removed from the trail of the ordinary hunter, the mountain-goat, solitary in its 
habits, and contented with its chaotic and gloomy surroundings, increases and 
multiplies.” 
Habits Although chiefly a mountain animal, this species is occasionally 
observed close to the sea-level, and has even been seen swimming salt¬ 
water estuaries or rivers. Such occurrences are, however, rare; and, as a rule, the 
Rocky Mountain goat lives above or close to the upper limits of forests. But when 
driven by hunger, these animals sometimes descend to lower levels in the forest, 
while they will not unfrequently traverse the lowlands separating one mountain or 
range from another. During the pairing-season in November and in the middle 
of winter they are gregarious, although not markedly so at other seasons of the 
year. As might be inferred, from their short and clumsy limbs, these animals have 
but little speed; and when disturbed they move leisurely off, trusting rather to 
concealment behind sheltering rocks than in rapidity of pace. Formerly the Rocky 
Mountain goat was much hunted by the Indians for the sake of its fleece, but now 
that the demand for blankets made from its wool has well-nigh ceased, the pursuit 
itself has been abandoned in many districts. 
Although extremely agile among its native mountains, the Rocky Mountain 
goat, in spite of many statements to the contrary, does not appear to be a very 
wary animal. Indeed, Mr. Fannin states that it is, perhaps, the most stupid 
animal in the mountains, and little or no skill is required in hunting it. The great 
difficulty is in reaching the almost inaccessible places which it usually inhabits. 
The best time for hunting is in September and October, before the rainy season 
sets in, although the skins are not in their best condition till later on. In colora¬ 
tion this animal is unique among Ruminants; and is, indeed, one of the few 
mammals that are white at all seasons. Its white coat is admirably adapted to 
harmonise with the snows of its highest haunts, but would seem to be conspicuous 
when the animal is among dark rocks or on its grazing-grounds. 
The Chamois. 
Genus Rupicapra. 
The last representative of the goat-like antelopes is the well-known chamois or 
gemse (Rupicapra tragus), of the mountains of Europe, readily distinguished from 
all the others by the short and cylindrical black horns rising for a considerable 
distance vertically from the forehead, and then bending sharply backwards and 
downwards in a hook-like manner. The chamois is a strongly-built animal, with 
relatively long and stout limbs, and a very short stumpy tail; in height it stands 
about 2 feet at the withers. The hair is close and rather long, with a thick 
woolly under-fur. During the winter the general colour is a chestnut-brown, paler 
on the face and under-parts, and there is a well-marked brown streak extending 
from below the eye nearly to the corner of the mouth ; the tail being black. In 
