56 FAUNA OF SHROPSHIRE. 



as, for example, near Dolgelly, where two were killed in 

 March, 1898. Eyton, writing in 1838, says that even 

 then it was getting rare. He mentions two taken near 

 Stapleton. Mr. Henry Gray saw a pair at Ludlow, 

 in 1837, that had been killed in Stokes Wood, near 

 Onibury: These, with three others all killed in the 

 neighbourhood about the same time, are now in the Ludlow 

 Museum. A male and a female were killed on Wenlock 

 Edge, about 1840, by Mr. William Pinches, of Tickler- 

 ton, and there are specimens in Harnage Grange, 

 believed by Mr. Benson to have been killed near 

 Lutwyche. The latest record is one killed in Bucknell 

 Wood, in 1862, by Mr. Sitwell. The Marten (or Marten- 

 Cat) is usually found in forest lands, and climbs trees 

 and runs and leaps amongst the boughs with the agility 

 of a Squirrel. In more open or hilly districts, however, 

 it often comes to the ground, and, if hunted, retreats to 

 the craggy tops of hills, where it takes refuge in crevices 

 into which Dogs cannot follow it. It can travel over the 

 ground at a rapid rate for a short distance by a succes- 

 sion of sidelong leaps. The food of the Marten consists 

 chiefly of birds, which it captures by pouncing upon 

 them unawares. It also eats Rabbits and other small 

 Mammals, as well as Reptiles. The number of young 

 averages four or five, and there are often two litters in a 

 year. These are reared in the old nest of a Squirrel or 

 Magpie. If taken young they are easily tamed, and as 

 pets they are preferable to the other members of their 

 tribe since they are free from any offensive odour. The 

 general colour of the Marten is dark brown, with whitish 

 under-parts, and a yellow patch on the throat. The tail 

 is long and bushy, and the fur long and glossy, while 



