THE CHAMOIS. (Antilope Rupicapra.)
The Chamois is about three feet in length and two in height; its horns six or seven inches long, its ears small, and its head resembling that of the goat. The body is covered with long brown hair, the hue of which varies with the season.
The flesh is considered a savoury food, and the skin is wrought into a soft pliable leather, well known in domestic economy.
The Chamois is found only in the mountainous regions of Europe, where they herd together on lofty and almost inaccessible cliffs and precipices. They are so acute and shy, that it is only by the greatest patience and skill that the hunter can approach near enough to shoot them; and they are so swift, and leap with such extraordinary sureness of foot, that to overtake them is impossible.
“—— —— —— But beasts have reason too.
And that we know, we men that hunt the Chamois,
They never turn to feed—sagacious creatures—
Till they have placed a sentinel a-head,
Who pricks his ears whenever we approach,
And gives alarm with clear and piercing pipe.”
Schiller’s William Tell.
