WEASEL FAMILY 



II.- 



ing season. The period of full furring varies 

 both in spring and autumn, according to latitude, 

 by about a month as an extreme. 



Although the Sable is persistently hunted, it 

 does not appear to diminish materialh' in nmn- 

 bcrs in unsettled parts of the country. It holds 



sometimes a den underground or beneath rocks, 

 but oftener the hollow of a tree; it frequently 

 takes forcible possession of a .Squirrel's nest, 

 driving ofi or devouring the rightful proprietor. 

 Though frequently called Pine Marten, like its 

 European relative, it does not a|)])ear to be par- 



Photograph by O. J. Murie 



AMERICAN MARTEN 



Martens are still to be found in the dense forests of pine and sprute, but have been so persistently hunted 



for their fur, that they are extremely shy 



its own partly in consequence of its shyness, 

 which keeps it away from the abodes of men, 

 and partly because it is so prolific ; it brings 

 forth six to eight young at a litter. Its home is 



ticularly attached to coniferous woods, living 

 in them simply because such forests prevail to 

 a great extent in the geographical areas it 

 inhabits. 



