ROCKY •MOUNTAIN GOAT, a telope (Oreamnot mostatiu4), related to the chamois and serow, which inhabit *heights of the Rocky Mountains and Cascade be tween the forests and the snow line, from the 44th to the 65th degree of latitude. It is about the size common goat, but is stouter, hand somer and has stronger legs. It, completely covered with long, thick, whit hair, which forms an erect mane along the middle of the back from between thc horns to the root of the tail; the shoulders are rather humped and the head is habitually carried low. Both sexes have slender, smooth, black horns, curving backward, about eight inches long and sharp-pointed.. Its pure white coat is a capital protection against observation in the midst of the mountain snow, and is unique, as no other white ruminant is known. Dwelling in such solitudes they have little to fear from natural enemies 'and fall an easy prey to the human hunter who has the hardihood to pursue them upon the rough mountain peaks and skill enough to get near to them unobserved. °Their food,' says Wister.
°seems to be chiefly the short almost lichen-like moss that grows on the faces and at the base of the rocks, and between them in the crevices.
. . . I am inclined to believe that the goat keeps consistently to the hills, whatever the sea son may be, and in this differs from the moun tain sheep, as he differs in appearance, tempera ment and in all characteristics, except the pre dilection for the inclined plane; and in this he is more vertical than the sheep.' A variety from the Copper River region, in is marked by a 'greater divergence of horns and some other structural characteristics and has been called 0. kennedyi. The flesh of the mountain goat is not highly esteemed, but its hair was utilized in weaving by the Indians of British Columbia and the coast northward; and its tanned hide has a value in market as a rug. Consult Stone and Crane; Animals' ('new ed., 1914), and authorities on travel and sport in the Northwest.