932 Life-histories of Northern Animals 



field, after much experience, says" this animal is capable of 

 "jumping from tree to tree like a Squirrel, clearing a distance 

 of 40 feet on a descending leap and never failing a secure 

 grip." And there are several records of Fishers leaping to the 

 ground from a height of 40 feet. 



In descending a tree it often comes down head first. But 

 for the Monkeys and some others, we might believe it a rule that 

 no creature is truly at home in the upper world till it can come 

 down head first when it likes. 



Though so active in the tree tops, it is equally at home on 

 the ground, and is so indefatigable and long-winded that it is 

 known to run down Rabbits and Hares in open chase. If only 

 it could swim and dive well, it would be the most wonderfully 

 equipped animal in the world. 



It has much of the blind pertinacity of the smaller Weasels. 

 When I was at Rat Portage, in October, 1 886, an Indian brought 

 in a superb Fisher, fresh killed. He saw the animal chasing a 

 Hare. The Hare, with the pursuer close behind, circled about 

 him. He saw the Fisher several times, but could get no shot 

 until the very moment when it sprang on the Hare; then he 

 fired and killed both animals with the same charge. 



Its courage, too, is of a high order. In my early days I 

 more than once was told of P'ishers — or Blackcats, as they were 

 called in Ontario — which attacked boys and dogs that had 

 disturbed them. I never saw one of these attacks, but they 

 were generally believed in, for all the hunters and trappers 

 entertain great respect for the prowess of this remarkable 

 animal. 



woLVER- Though a Marten in most things, the Fisher has many 



tricks in common with the Wolverine. According to Hardy," 

 one of our best authorities on the species, Fishers often follow 

 up a line of Sable traps to destroy them, stealing the bait, or 

 eating any Sable caught in them. "Usually," he says, "they 

 tear down the boxing or take off the covering from the log 



" Quoted in Merriam's Mam. Adir., 1884, p. 49. " See Note 4. 



INE-LIKE 

 HABIT 



