114 FISHERY AND FUE INDUSTRIES OF ALASKA IN 1912. 



and brown in color. Skins from tributaries of the upper Tanana are 

 dark chocolate brown, with shorter, finer fur. Those from the upper 

 Kantishna and over the wooded hills to the Kuskokwim have 

 peculiarly variegated fur seldom seen in other districts. They have 

 in the same pelt almost every shade of orange and brown. It is only 

 now and then that a marten with a "true-color" skin is caught in 

 this region, and even these are rather pale. As a result the skins 

 from this region have to be dyed. 



The so-called black marten is a myth. The darkest ever seen 

 are not black but a rich deep chocolate brown. Marten vary perhaps 

 more in color than any other fur and the pelts are therefore hard to 

 match, which fact, of course, adds to the cost of well-matched skins. 

 There are a few very dark marten, a larger number of dark brown, 

 and a much larger number that are pale in color, varying from light 

 brown to golden yellow. Now and then a "golden" marten is found; 

 these, however, are very rare and bring a high price. They are 

 really more orange than golden. The only parts of the coat that 

 do not vary greatly in color are the orange patch under the throat 

 and the long bushy tail, which is blackish or dark brown. 



The habits of marten are peculiar. They do not follow the small 

 streams and ponds as do the mink and some other species, but prefer 

 the higher land covered with heavy spruce or piae forests. In such 

 regions the marten is almost the only fur animal to be found, and as 

 a result the marten trapper is a specialist who traps for that one 

 species. 



The fur of the marten in the regions mentioned becomes prime 

 early in November. It continues to improve, growing longer and 

 heavier. By November 15 it is quite heavy and the skins are in good 

 condition. The best pelts, however, are not obtaiaed until Decem- 

 ber and the first half of January, when the fur is heavier, softer, and 

 more glossy than at any other time. Very few furs can be taken at 

 this season, however, because of the unfavorable climatic conditions. 

 White men will sometimes venture out and do some trapping, but 

 the Indians seldom go out before February or March. 



It is claimed that the marten disappear periodically and with 

 some regularity from the regions they frequent. They are not 

 found dead and there is no evidence of migration. Perhaps it may 

 be that food is unusually abundant and the marten are not tempted 

 to avail themselves of the food supplied by the baited trap. 



Marten are usually taken iu steel traps, no. 1^ being the size 

 preferred. The traps are set in hollow logs or trees, or sometimes near 

 trees where their tracks have been seen, fish oil, fresh meat, or, better, 

 rotten heads of birds being often used as bait. Marten, as a rule, 

 are not very suspicious and no great care needs to be taken ia setting 

 the traps. They may be taken even ia deadfalls or figure-four traps, 

 but those methods are not much followed now. 



