9i<> Life-histories of Northern Animals 



lasts often for many miles, which speaks well for his endurance 

 and persistent running abilities." 



Dr. Merriam, while admitting the beauty and grace of 

 the Marten, says, however:'- "Its disposition is sadly out of 

 harmony with its attractive exterior. Mr. John Constable has 

 related to me a most interesting and vivid account of an affray 

 that he once witnessed, in company with his brother, Mr. 

 Stephen Constable, between a Marten and a great Northern 

 Hare. The Marten, generally so meek and docile in appear- 

 ance, assumed the savage mien and demeanour of a fierce 

 tiger, as it attacked and slew the luckless Hare — an animal 

 several times its own size and weight — and even after the poor 

 Hare was dead the Marten's fury did not abate, and he angrily 

 jerked and twisted the lifeless body from side to side, as if to 1 

 wreak vengeance, for sins never committed, upon the defence- 

 less body of his victim. So intent was he upon this deed of 

 carnage that he was utterly oblivious of the human spectators, 

 who put an end to the scene by driving a bullet through his 

 obdurate pate." 



There is much evidence on record to show that Martens 

 taken young are easily tamed and soon acquire an attachment 

 for the one who feeds them, but never become quite docile. 

 Captain Craine's Marten was fond of being petted by her 

 owner, but continued savage to all strangers. On the other 

 hand, many observers testify that in the north-west one often 

 sees tame Martens following the Indian children, who catch 

 them young and bring them up as pets; these are as tame and 

 playful as kittens. 



BOTH Several authorities maintain that the species is nocturnal 



AND and many that it is diurnal. My own experiences incline me 



to the latter view or both. Obviously, it could not hunt 



Squirrels by night. But it does hunt by night to some extent. 



No doubt at this time it preys on Mice, but it is so wonderfully 



clever at hiding that it is rarely seen. 



D. Hayward, of Maine, says:'^ "The Marten is an animal 



"Mam. Adir., 1884, pp. 52-3. "Sec Note 11. 



NOC- 

 TURN.\L 



