- "She's our goat. Don't be fooled by the boy's name; she can give a gallon a day when she's fresh. We're trying to skim enough cream for butter, but it takes forever."
- —Description of Shamus by Maude Ivory[src]
Shamus was the goat that belonged to the Covey.[1]
Quick Answers
How much milk can Shamus produce in a day?
Why is the goat named Shamus despite being female?
What role does Shamus play in the Covey's daily life?
Biography[]
When Coriolanus Snow and Sejanus Plinth first visited the Covey's home in District 12, Shamus was in the Meadow with Lucy Gray Baird. After Coriolanus and Lucy Gray kissed, Shamus tugged on Coriolanus's collar, as she needed milking. Lucy Gray then hitched Shamus to a post on the front post to keep her in place.[1] However, Maude Ivory took Sejanus out to milk Shamus instead, as she disapproved of Sejanus talking to Billy Taupe.[2]
Shamus was said to be able to give a gallon of milk a day at her best, and the members of the Covey were attempting to skim enough cream for butter.[1] Tam Amber created a butter churn for Maude Ivory's birthday, but the Covey weren't sure if it would work, since goat's milk didn't separate the same way cow milk did. Sejanus also stated that Shamus's milk reminded him of his childhood in District 2.[2]
Etymology[]
Shamus is noted in the book as being a boy's name.[1] It's an alternate spelling of the name Seamus, which is a variation of James.
Trivia[]
- Shamus is one of two named goats in the books, both female; the other goat is Lady, belonging to Primrose Everdeen.
- Her name has the same root as Haymitch Abernathy's: Hamish is also a variation of Seamus or James.