FIELD BOOK OF MAMMALS 



Underparts. — Slightly warmer in tone than upperparts and 

 without the yellowish tinge to the brown; an irregular area of 

 bright ochraceous buff on throat and chest. 



Immature very much like adults. 



Measurements. — Males larger than females. Total length, 

 males, 23-25 inches; tail vertebrae, 7-8 inches; hind foot, 3.3-3.5 

 inches. 



Geographical Distribution. — Forested parts of northern 

 North America. 



Food. — Largely carnivorous; small mammals and birds, such 

 as Squirrels, Chipmunks, Mice, Rabbits, Grouse, and also 

 some nuts, fruit and berries (mountain ash berries are said to 

 be a favorite article of diet), reptiles, frogs, insects, honey. 



Enemies. — Able to escape most of the predatory animals 

 that would prey upon it, with the exception of the Fisher, and 

 possibly the Lynx and Great Horned Owl. 



Species and Subspecies of the Genus Martes 

 Subgenus Martes 



American Marten. — Martes americana americana (Turton). 

 As described above. Found in eastern North America from 

 Labrador and the shores of Hudson Bay south to about 

 Virginia (in mountains) and west to Minnesota. 



Hudson Bay Marten. — Martes americana ahieticola (Preble). 

 Larger than typical americana. Upperparts (winter) "rich 

 dark yellowish brown, darkest on middle of back; legs and 

 tail darker, the latter almost black at tip; an irregular blotch 

 and a small spot on chest, ochraceous; face and cheeks 

 grayish brown; ears edged with whitish." (Preble.) Total 

 length, males, 26 inches; tail vertebras, 8.5 inches; hmd foot 

 3 8 inches. Found in the region from the western shores oi 

 Hudson Bay to Saskatchewan and north to the tree limit. 



British Columbia Marten. — Martes americana ahtetmotdes 



Upperparts seal-brown, darkest on legs, feet, tail, and 

 middle back; head with more or less grizzling of gray; throat 

 patch ochraceous buff. Total length, females, 23.5 inches; 

 tail vertebrae, 7 inches; hind foot, 3.5 inches. Found m the 

 "Humid interior region of British Columbia, peculiar to the 

 Selkirk and Gold Ranges." (Rhoads) 

 Alaska Marten. — Martes americana actuosa (Osgood). 



Much larger than typical americana. Upperparts pale 

 ochraceous buff mixed with brown on posterior half, becom- 

 ing grayer on shoulders; head grizzled grayish and brown; 

 chest patch creamy buff; tail brown darkening toward tip. 



94 



