HISTORY AND HABITS OF THE PEKAN. 67 



arose from some misconceptiou of its babits, or from coufound- 

 ing tbem with those of the Mink. The name is entirely inap- 

 plicable, as the animal is not aquatic, does not fish, nor habitu- 

 ally live upon fish, and it should be discarded, as likely to 

 perpetuate the confusion and misunderstanding of which it has 

 always to a greater or less extent been the cause. Pekan is a 

 word of unknown,* or at least of no obvious, application, but 

 is less objectionable, inasmuch as it does not mislead. As to 

 the supposed piscatorial exploits of the Pekan, we find refuta- 

 tion in some of the very earliest accounts of those who, unlike 

 certain compilers of books, had actual knowledge of the ani- 

 mals they recounted. Thus Bartram, who is quoted by Pen- 

 nant, states that " though they are not amphibious, and live on 

 all kinds of lesser quadrupeds, they are called Fishers^\ Hearne 

 states that they dislike water as much as cats do. In fact, the 

 universal testimony of those who are best informed is that the 

 economy of the Pekan is as nearly as possible like that of the 

 Pine Marten, as indeed one would expect, judging by analogy. 

 Godman, a naturalist who has perhaps not always been fully 

 appreciated, states the case correctly in criticising the same 

 points: — ''That it will eat fish when thrown on shore there is 

 little doubt, as almost all the carnivorous animals are delighted 

 with such food : but we have no proof that this 3Iarten is in 

 the habit of fishing for itself.*' Sir John Richardson has a para- 

 graph which may be quoted in continuation of this point, as 

 well as for its affording further insight into the character of the 

 species : — 



"The Pekan is a larger and stronger animal than any variety 

 of the Pine Marten, but it has similar manners ; climbing 

 trees with facility, and preying principally upon mice. It lives 

 in the woods, preferring damp places in the vicinity of water, 

 in which respect it differs from the Martin, which is generally 

 found in the dryest spots of the pine forests. The Fisher is 

 said to prey much upon frogs in the summer season; but I 

 have been informed that its favorite food is the Canada porcu- 

 pine, which it kills by biting on the belly. It does not seek its 

 food in the water, although, like the Pine-martin, it will feed 



upon the hoards of frozen fish laid up by the residents 



It brings forth, once a year, from two to four young.'^ 



Doubt has been cast by Audubon upon Richardson's state- 



* Compare Ptan or Felan, the AssiDibome name of the Otter, "which may 

 possibly have become transferred with modification to the present species. 



