Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-01-26
WE MODELLED.

WE YODELED.
The Rupri capra, or Kingsbridge cap
ricornus. is goatlike group of the
Rupri caprine order, originating in west
ern Europe. 1t resembles the roebuck
in size, being about 2 feet in height,
though sometimes attaining length OF
81 feet by % feet high, and diameter
of 24 to inches.
The animal is armed with curved
horns, measuring from three to ten
inches in length, slightly striated and
at times corrugated where the channels
has attained great age. Both male and
female of the kingsbridge capricornus
are provided with horns, though those of
the female are generally less incinated.
The animal is covered with rather
coarse hair, especially en- the under side
Of the trunk and thorax. Embedded in
this long hair may be found at autumn
time the brown and furry burrs of the
burdock. or Manhattan edelweiss.
AT the opposite end of the kingsbridge
capricornus from the forehead NAV be
found a very abrupt and somewhat
tremulous tail. 1t is about as brief and
devoid of interest as the pedigree of d
mule, and is utterly bereft of either
beauty or utility. 1t is totally made
quate to the great task of keeping away
the flies that swarm upon its genealogy.
The Harlem channels is gregarious,
and may be found IN herds of two to
twenty individuals especially TO the
northward on the rocky ranges along
Little Fifth avenue, and in the deep de-
files to the southwark from Highbridge,
among what is called the Sawed-OG or
Interurban Alps.
Eastward also, and along to the north
ward as far as the Pyrenees of the Spuy-
ten Duyvil, may be seen at certain sea-
sons Of the year the tracks of this agile
and swift animal, whose keen scent en-
ables him to smell approaching objects
at distance of seventeen to twenty
three miles, and to retaliate to an even
greater distance.
This animal, | regret to say, is too oft
en- confused with the ibex of Staten
Island and the Brooklyn Capricornus
omniverous, which is found as far east as
the Tyrol and the Shinnycock reservation.
The Staten Island ibex of Tonpkins-
vile and farther Tottenville is more
pungent fauna than the Harlem cham
DIS. and Is more easily domesticated. 1t
gives milk in small quantities to people
who have Its confidence, and is less shy
than the Harlem channels, which dries
up early and yields only very slight
quantity OF milk even to intimate
friends. In March the teats Of the Har-
lem channels become chapped, and
mere casual or calling acquaintance is
unable to successfully milk her.
The male in middle life wears style
of Mormon whiskers which loan dignity
to his whole life, almost taking the place
OF brains In some instances, as is so often
the case. 1t is only on the approach of
the colder weather of winter that the
Tyrolean ibex Of Yonkers, and rs far
north as Dobbs' Ferry and IrviHgton,
begins to wing his way to the extreme
south, and to be occasionally seen by
hunters and woodchoppers along upper
Fifth avenue, and the trail between Muir
ray Hill and Judge Smiths road house.
Then keen eyed ranger of the woods
may be likely to catch the swift vision
of an animal ascendir the dizzy fire es-
cape of perpendicular fiat to crop the
tender heritage of some luscious gera-
mum or flannel petticoat hanging upon
the stone ledge of some tall residence.
Arranging myself last Saturday two
weeks ago with a carbine, and hanging
1T over my shoulder by broad strap,
such as one sees in the Biographies, /
secured the services of d Swiss channels
stalker who has been temporarily shoot
ing biscuits at a restaurant where | oc-
casionally dine, and after assuring my
self that ne could also yodel, we bought
some food and started out to the north
west, first taking street car from the
junction of Park row and Broadway.
Our route lay partially away to the
north and west of Rivlngton street and
Hester Strauss. We rode up the most
of the way, stopping occasionally at the
quaint little inns and chalets, where we
refreshed ourselves with Swiss cheese,
Hotf Brow bier, raw onions and cav
war sandwiches made of rye bread con-
tanning bird seed, and between the slices
of which chopped raw onion is spread,
also layer of catfish spawn, on which
is a heavy tariff, two squirts of lemon
and a layer of codliver oil.
After awhile we began to yodel.
A large policeman with an inflated