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Show "" ' -rc- r - . v t 3 i . . . I - 1 of wolves, hunting dogs or even the fu.ocious grizzly bear. Mountain goats are comparatively compara-tively abundant in British Columbia, Colum-bia, and their territory extends south into Washington, Idaho, Utah, Montana, and north through the Yukon into Alaska. They dwell by choice high above timberline in a bleak land of scant vegetation, cutting winds, and the most dramatic dra-matic scenery in our hemisphere. Even in mid-winter, they are loath to descend as other animals do to the valleys where food and shelter are plentiful. They survive on lichens, moss and alpine growth that can be uncovered among the wind-swept rocks. A thick coat of perpetually white wool, like fine cashmere is protection pro-tection against the bitterest of weather. White reflects the heat of summer sun and is camouflage during the long snow season. The nanny and billy goat look alike, both having horns about nine inches long. Although those of the female are more slender, the world's record head with 12 V-.-inch horns is that of a nanny. Early explorers often referred to the mountain goat asf a small white buffalo and the resemblance is considerable. Like the bison its shoulders are high, head low, neck short and there is a beard of long hairs on the chin. But it is not a buffalo. In fact, it is not a goat. The neck of a true goat is rather long and head held high. Scientists tell us it actually is a goat-like antelope, like the chamois of Aisa, having no close relatives in America. Am-erica. , The goat stands 3 feet at the shoulder and weighs up to 276 pounds. It mates in the fall and is probably monogamous. The kid, I born six months after breeding, ' also is 'all white. It is only 13: inches tall, can stand 10 minutes . after birth, jumps in 30 minutes and at one month is an able climber climb-er of the mountains. Stories of harrowing climbs of the mountain goat' are legion. It can outdo the cougar and even the nimble mountain sheep. Hunters Hunt-ers tell of 'watching in rapt admiration ad-miration as a goat, like a human fly on a skyscraper, works its way across what appears asheer cliff. The men htid their fire. ' Congratulations, says the National Na-tional Wildlife Federation, to the sportsmanlike hunters who have scared this stout-hearted Old -Man oi the Mountains. Mountain Goat C1952 National Wildlife Federation Tho mountain goat is living proof that Amercan sportsmen are good sports, says the National Wildlife Federation. This likable Old Man of the Mountain is a relatively easy target tar-get for modern high powered rifles with telescopic sights, yet there are nearly as many today as there were in early times. Modern hunters hunt-ers want hard-to-get trophies. Furthermore, outdoorsmen and mountaineers have developed a great admiration for the courage of the white goat. It never runs from sudden danger, but trots off with solemn dignity. Its bearing, white hair and chin whiskers command com-mand respect. It is not pugnacious, but will fight for a mate, and stands its ground to the death when need be to defend itself or its young. With dagger-like horns it has held its own against a pack |