918 Life-histories of Northern Animals 



object. All the hunters agree that this hankering to know, this 

 itch to see, smell, and find out, is a master failing of the Marten. 



" Mr. Constable tells me that when a hunter discovers a 

 Marten climbing about among the tree tops, he has only to 

 whistle and the inquisitive animal will stop and peer down at 

 him, affording an excellent shot."" {Merriam.) 



Similar observations are found in Kennicott's account. 

 "The retreat of the Martens [he says]'^ is usually in standing 

 hollow trees, and * * * in winter they may frequently be dis- 

 covered sitting with their heads out of the holes. As, if shot 

 in this position, they would fall back and be lost, advantage is 

 taken of their inquisitiveness by walking slowly around the tree 

 and inducing the animal to draw its body entirely out of the 

 hole, in order to keep the object of its curiosity in view. When 

 quite out, a well-directed shot brings it to the ground." 



Curiosity is a beginning of knowledge, and is proof of 

 intelligence. These observations, therefore, give to the Marten 

 a higher place among its kin than would its behaviour in family 

 matters. 



What moss is to the Reindeer, what grass is to the cattle, 

 the Mouse millions of the North are to all the Northern Carni- 

 vores from Bear to Blarina. When we shall have fully worked 

 out the life-history of each of these species, I believe we shall 

 learn that the whole of that vast beautiful, important, and 

 specialized production that we call the Carnivora rests on a 

 broad simple basis or Muridae that in turn rests on the grass, 

 that rests on the earth. We shall for each of these flesh-eaters 

 write, 'it sometimes eats this and sometimes eats that, but by 

 far the greatest bulk of its food is Mice.' This is eminently 

 true of the Marten. Its diet comprises partridge. Rabbits, 

 Squirrels, Chipmunks, Mice, Shrews, birds, birds' eggs, fledg- 

 lings, frogs, toads, fish, and insects of course; but it also adds 

 reptiles, nuts, berries, honey, and even carrion. 



A. P. Low, Director of the Canadian Geological Survey, 

 tells me that the rowan berries (Sorbus americanus) are a 



" Mam. Adir., 1884, p. 53. " Quad. 111., 1859, p. 243. 



