The chief characteristic of the Chamois is constituted by the smooth
horns which are placed immediately above the orbits. These horns are
almost upright, with a backward tendency, and curved like a hook at the
end. The horns exist in both sexes, and are nearly the same size in
each. The Chamois has a short tail, and no beard.
The European Chamois is about the size of a small Goat. It is covered
with two sorts of hair—one woolly, very abundant, and of a brownish
color; the other, silky, spare and brittle. Its coat is dark brown in
winter and fawn-color in summer; its fine and intelligent head is of a
pale yellow, with a brown stripe down the muzzle and round the eyes. Its
horns are black, short, smooth, and not quite rounded.
This graceful Ruminant inhabits the Pyrenees and Alps, and also some of
the highest points in Greece. But from constant persecution it has
lately become so rare that few people can boast of having been
successful in its pursuit.
The Chamois lives in small herds, in the midst of steep rocks on the
highest mountain summits. With marvelous agility it leaps over ravines,
scales with nimble and sure feet the steepest acclivities, bounds along
the narrowest paths on the edge of the most perilous abysses, and
jumping from rock to rock, will take its stand on the sharpest point,
where there appears hardly room for its feet to rest; and all this is
accomplished with an accuracy of sight, a muscular energy, an elegance
and precision of movement, and a self-possession which are without
equal. From these facts, it can easily be understood that hunting this
nimble and daring animal is an amusement full of danger.
On the approach of winter the Chamois goes from the northern side of the
mountains, to the southern, but it never descends into the plain.