The Pine Marten 



and this alone indicates that it has to be considered a 

 rare mammal in the British Isles. Less than a hundred 

 years ago these animals were by no means uncommon. 

 In the year 1840 one reads of no fewer than two 

 hundred and forty-six specimens being shot and trapped 

 during the three preceding years in Glengarry. Since 

 that time, however, it has to be granted that the Pine 

 Marten has gradually decreased, and it is only now 

 and again one hears of the capture of a single specimen. 

 This extermination is not to be wondered at, considered 

 from the game-preserver's point of view. Even 

 flock-masters dread the presence of a Pine Marten, for 

 the creature will exhibit no signs of fear in the presence 

 of even a sheep that may stray within the precincts 

 of its hunting-grounds. Be the quarry animal or fowl, 

 the Pine Marten pursues it with relentless ferocity, 

 and the taste of reeking flesh and blood alone can 

 satisfy the creature's appetite. 



Its arboreal habits give it special facilities in 

 securing a full larder during the whole year. This is 

 denied to many creatures of the woods, for most of 

 them cannot climb the tree-trunks or crawl snake- 

 like along a swaying branch in pursuit of prey. The 

 Marten, however, is endowed with scissor-like claws 

 and teeth, and whether amongst the tree-branches or 

 on terra-firma it is thus provided with deadly weapons 

 in the securing of its prey. In the tree-tops it is as 

 agile as a squirrel ; on earth it can vie with the 

 Polecat or Stoat. 



31 



