THE NIMBLE CHAMOIS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 16, 9 April 1927, Page 22

THE NIMBLE CHAMOIS

The chamois is the greatest climber of all members of the goat family and makes remarkable leaps from crag to§ crag on the mountain sides in his native countries. He is found in various parts of Switzerland, Italy and Greece, and is red in colour, about the same size as the goat, but his legs are longer. The back ones are bent, because in leaping he always alights on the back feet first and their shape helps to break the shock. His horns are more erect than those of the goat and turn over like a hook at the end. Among themselves chamois are sociable animals and live in little flocks or pairs, nibbling the mountain grass and at interval? lifting their alert heads to listen. But they are very easily alarmed and climb to the highest points at sight of a hunter. When the mother chamois wishes to call her young she makes a peculiar little bleating sound to bring them to her side, but if danger is at hand she warns them by a sharp, whistling noise made by blowing through her nostrils. When they hear this shrill whistle, the little ones lose no time in • seeking the high ground out of harm’s way. -The chamois is hunted for its valuable skin which, when prepared, is strong, supple, and durable and useful for making gloves and other articles Sometimes the strangely curved horns are used as the handles of walkingsticks. A herd of chamois makes a pretty sight seen in their natural surroundings, and it is greatly to be regretted that, year by year, their number slowly but surely decreases.