Ii6 



MAMMALS OF AMERICA 



" The Sable," says Coues. " is no partner in 

 guilt with the Mink and Stoat in invasion of 

 the farm-yard, nor will it, indeed, designedly 

 take up its abode in the clearing of a settler, 

 preferring always to take its chances of food 

 supply in the recesses of the forest. Active, in- 

 dustrious, cunning and predaceous withal, it 

 finds ample subsistence in the weaker rodents, 

 insectivora and birds and their eggs. It hunts 

 on the ground for ^lice, which constitute a large 

 share of its sustenance, as well as for Shrews, 

 Moles, certain reptiles and insects. An expert 

 climber, quite at home in the leafy intricacies 

 of tree tops, it pursues squirrels, and goes bird's- 

 nesting with success. It is said also to secure 

 toads, frogs, lizards, and even fish. 



" The Sable has some of the musky odor char- 

 acteristic of its family, but in very mild degree 

 compared with the Mink or Pole-cat. With a 

 general presence more pleasing, it combines a 

 nature, if not less truly predacious at least less 

 sanguinary and insatiable. It does not kill after 

 its hunger is appeased, nor does a blind ferocity 

 lead it to attack animals as much larger than 

 itself as those that the Stoat assaults with suc- 

 cess. Animals like the Rabbit and Squirrel form 

 less of its prey than the smaller rodents and in- 

 sectivores. In confinement, the Marten becomes 

 in time rather gentle. It is sprightly and active, 

 with little unpleasant odor." 



Merritt Cary, in "A Biological Survey of Col- 

 orado," says : " In the dense forests of lodge- 

 pole pine and spruce, which clothe the upper 

 slopes of the higher mountain ranges of northern 

 Colorado, the Marten is still present in consid- 

 eral)le numbers. It appears to be uncommon 

 on all the southern ranges except the San Juan 

 Mountains, where from a point northeast of 

 Pagoda Springs west of Silverton and Telluride 

 it is reported in good numbers. Martens are 

 rarely observed below 8.000 or 8,500 feet, or the 

 lower edge of the Canadian zone forest belt. 

 They range regularly to timberline. however, and 

 have been seen 1,500 feet above timberline near 

 Silverton. Throughout their range Martens are 

 hunted and trapped extensively, and conse- 

 quently are not nearly so abundant as formerly. 

 Skis are often used in hunting them in winter, 

 when snow covers the mountains to a depth of 

 several feet, and when pursvied in this manner 

 the animals quickly take refuge in trees where 

 they are easily shot. Hunting Martens on skis 

 is said to be very exciting sport, and at times 

 hazardous, owing to the roughness of the coun- 

 try. This is a favorite method of hunting in 

 Middle Park and in the San Juan Alountains. 

 Most of the Alartens secured, however, are taken 

 in either steel traps or dead-falls. Although 

 Colorado Martens are somewhat paler than those 

 farther north, they yield a valuable fur." 



PENNANT'S MARTEN 



Martes pennanti (Ilrxlcbcn) 



Other Names. — Fisher. Pekan. Black Cat; 



General Description. — .\ Marten, but much larger 

 than the Pine Marten. See description. Body long, 

 lithe and powerful; weight up to 18 pounds. Legs 

 short ; head short ; muzzle pointed ; ears prominent ; 

 tail moderately bushy. Color brownish-black, lighter on 

 sides, browner below. 



Dental Formula. — Same as given for Pine Marten. 



Pelage. — Color same the year around ; sexes identi- 

 cal. Color variable, but dark. Some specimens are 

 glossy black, including tail and underparts ; others are 

 gray or grayish-white on he'ad and neck; the majority 

 of individuals have more or less white on chin, chest 

 and abdomen. In general the body color is grayish- 

 brown or brownish-black, lighter on sides and browner 

 on belly ; darker on snout, ears. feet, and tail ; ears 

 witli pale linings ; claws whitish horn color. 



Measurements. — Length, male. 36 inches; tail. 14 

 inches ; hind foot, 4 inches. Weight. 8'4 to 18 pounds. 

 Female, smaller. 



Range. — North America north of 35° in forest 

 covered country, e.xcept on Pacific coast w'here the 

 Pacific Fisher is found. 



Food. — Mice, squirrels, hares, porcupines, birds and 

 eggs. Only rarely fish. 



Remarks. — .Mthough the name Fisher is applied to 

 this animal it is inappropriate inasmuch as the animal 

 is not a fisherman. But two varieties of this Marten 

 are recognized. 



Rel.\ted Species 



Pennant's Marten, or Fisher. — Martes fcnnanti pcn- 

 luinli (Erxleben). The typical animal described above. 

 Boreal North America north of 35° except on Pacific 

 Coast. 



Pacific Fisher. — Martes t>cniia>tti f^acifica (Rhoads). 

 Larger skull and upper molars ; coloration in general 

 darker. Various parts of the Pacific slope, California 

 to ."Maska. 



