WEASEL FAMILY 



113 



a volume, and they are quite a match for those 

 that Olaus Magnus set down in his book cen- 

 turies ago. But we need not go beyond the 

 strict fact to be impressed with the extraordinary 

 wit of the beast, whom all concur in conceding to 

 be " as cunning as the very devil." 



The \\"olverene is almost exclusively noc- 

 turnal, there being but few instances of its 

 having been seen abroad during the day; and 

 it has been seen to sit up and shade its eyes with 

 its paws, as if suffering from the unaccustomed 

 light. It does not hibernate, and there is no 

 marked difference in the color of the winter and 

 summer coat. In spite of its clumsy-looking ap- 

 pearance the animal when disturbed can make 

 off at a very rapid pace. It likewise ascends 



rough-barked trees with facility, although it is 

 said that its climbing powers are only exerted 

 when it scents food. In the pursuit of prey the 

 \\'olverene will readily swim rivers. As a rule 

 it is silent, although when attacked it will give 

 vent to angry growls. 



These animals are found both solitary and in 

 pairs, but generally solitary. During the day 

 they live concealed in subterranean holes, which 

 are usually their breeding-places, and which are 

 frequently the deserted lairs of Bears. In North 

 America the young are born in June or July, the 

 number of individuals in a litter, as before stated, 

 being generally four or five, but it has also been 

 noticed by hunters that there are sometimes only 

 two cubs. 



AMERICAN MARTEN 

 Martes (= Mustela) americana (Tnrton) 



Other Names. — Pine Marten. .American Sable. 



General Description. — A long, slender-bodied animal 

 rather smaller than a house cat. Limbs short, digiti- 

 grade; tail moderate, inclined to be bushy; soles furred, 



pads naked ; claws compressed, acute, semi-retractile ; 

 ears large ; head roughly triangular with sharp nose ; 

 color above orange-brown, belly brownish, spot on 

 breast orange. Habits arboreal. 



PINE MARTEN 

 On account of their beautiful fur these Martens are so persistently hunted that they are now rare 



