The Chamois
HE Chamois is goat- brown hue, and the coat consists of long, like in form. This shaggy, coarse hair. In summer the is nowhere better tints lighten. Then the hair becomes of seen than when a light-brown color, a dark line marking the Chamois is the back along the region of the spine. regarded from the The head is of a lighter tint, and assumes front, when the a pale yellow color. The average length resemblance to a goat is of the horns is about seven inches. The especially striking. The male Chamois will attain a height of over horns are black in color, two feet at the shoulder, whilst the female and form effective means is shorter and of lower stature. of defence when the eagle The natural abode of the Chamois in swoops down on the summer is above the snow-line, and mother Chamois and her amongst the upper cliffs and valleys of family, meditating an the Pyrenees, Apennines, Alps, and Cauattack that has for its casus. But in winter the Chamois deobject the carrying away scends into less elevated situations, comof the young. Then the pelled to this step by the inclemency of fiercest instincts of the Chamois race the season, that renders food scarce in are aroused, as, indeed, the most patient higher levels and altitudes. The voice of animals will become fierce and warlike of the Chamois is by no means of a when danger threatens their young. The musical kind. At the best it is merely great bird of prey may be received, as a goat-like bleat, which increases and with the bayonet-point, by the enraged intensifies to a shrill whistle under fear . antelope, and may retire defeated, and even wounded, repulsed by the successful defence of the Chamois mother.
When the herd of Chamois is feeding placidly on the mountain slopes, one member of the group, at least, appears to be told off for the duty of a sentinel. It The color of the Chamois varies with the seasons. The winter coat is perhaps is highly instructive to discover that this the most characteristic. It is of a dark practice, imitated by man, of guarding ECHT
