FIELD BOOK OF MAMMALS 



Total length, males, 24 inches; tail vertebra, 7.5 inches; 



hind foot, 3.2 inches. Found in the Boreal Zone of the whole 



Sierra Nevada north at least to Mt. Shasta, California. 

 Queen Charlotte Marten.— Marten nesophila (Osgood). 



Larger than typical caurina which it resembles. Described 



from skulls only but said to be light colored and short haired. 



Dentition heavier than that of caurina and rostrum shorter. 



Found on the Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia. 

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The Marten is the arboreal member of the Weasel family 

 and is such an accomplished cHmber that it can prey success- 

 fully upon Squirrels. If seen at any distance it would probably 

 pass for a large Squirrel in the trees, but near at hand should 

 be recognized by the weasel-like face, with white-edged ears, 

 cylindrical and not flattened tail, and dark yellowish brown 

 color, with orange to yellowish throat patch. 



Because of its preference for an arboreal life, the Marten 

 is not found outside of forested areas, and the thicker the 

 woods the better from the Marten's point of view. This 

 mammal is one of the very first to resent the presence of man, 

 and, long before a district is settled, the Martens have dis- 

 appeared. 



In addition to the food it may find in the tree tops, the 

 Marten has much the same habits as the Weasels on the 

 ground and preys on Mice, Hares, Partridges, etc. They are 

 said to be both nocturnal and diurnal, but they are so secretive 

 that one is very seldom seen. They are easy to trap, however, 

 as they are unsuspicious and eager to attack a bait. The fur 

 of the Marten sells for high prices and always commands a 

 good market. The American Marten is close kin to the famous 

 Russian Sable. 



The number of young Martens in a litter varies from one to 

 five, with three or four as the average. They are born late in 

 April and are stated to be blind for a long time, over four 

 weeks. The nest which the female makes, lined with grass 

 and moss, is usually in a hollow tree or rarely in a burrow in 

 the ground. 



The Marten hisses, growls, snarls, or screeches, according 



to Seton. 



Subgenus Pekania 

 Dentition: Incisors, f; Canines, \; Premolars, t ; Molars, \ =38. 



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