with regard to its name. Tlie Mink pro- 

 duces from three to six at a litter. When 

 fully grown tlieir weight is about four 

 pounds. Mink skins are worth from 20 

 to 40 cents, according to quality. 





■yW tTni^:);j*»:T7T . . , 



THE FISHER MARTIN. 

 Mustcla canadensis. — Linnaeus. 



Desckiption. — Head, neck, shoulders 

 and top of the back, ini.xed with gray and 

 brown; nose, rump, tail and e.xlrcmities, 

 brownisli black ; sometimes a white spot 

 under the throat, and also between the 

 fore and hind legs ; lower part of tlic fore 

 legs, the fore feet and the whole of the 

 hind legs, black ; tail full, black, lustrous 

 and tapering to a point ; fur on tlie 

 head short, but gradually increasino- 

 in length towards the tail ; the liead has 

 a strong, roundisli, compact appearance ; 

 the ears are low semicircular and far 

 apart, leaving a broad and slightly round- 

 ed foreliead ; fore legs short and strong; 

 toes on all the leet connected at the base 

 by a short web which is covered on both 

 sides with hair. Length from tlie nose to 

 the insertion of the tail, ti'i inches ; tail, 

 including the fur, 16 inches. 



History. — This animal is known in dif- 

 ferent places under a great variety of ap- 

 pellations, but in Vermont it is usually 

 called tlic Fisher, or Fisher Martin. This 

 name is, however, badly chosen, as it is 

 calculated to deceive those unacquainted 

 with the animal, with regard to its na- 

 ture and habits. From its name the inex- 

 perienced would conclude that it led an 

 aquatic mode of life, and tliatlike the ot- 

 ter, it subsisted principally upon fishes 

 But this is by means true ; and they, 

 who have had an opportunity to observe 

 its habits, aver tliat it manifests as much 

 repugnance to water as tiie domestic cat. 

 It may, perhaps, sometimes devour fishes, 

 which are thrown upon the shore, but it 

 usually subsists by preying upon small 

 quadrupeds, birds, eggs, frogs, &c. like 

 the martin and other kindred species. It 

 is said to kill tlie porcujiine, by bitin<T it 

 on the belly, and then devour it. It lives 

 in woods, preferring those which arc low 

 and damp. This animal is much valued 

 for its fur, and considerable numbers are 

 taken in the state, annually. The price 

 of the skin varies from $1 to ^2. It is 



sometimes called the Pelan, or the Pekan 

 Weasel., or the Fisher Weasel. 



THE PINE MARTIN. 



Mustcla viartcs. — Linn.tus. 



Description. — General color, fulvoug 

 brown, varying in different individuals, 

 and at different seasons, from bright ful- 

 vous, to brownish black ; bright yellow 

 under the throat; hair of tlie tail longer, 

 coarser and darker than that of the body ; 

 the color on all parts darker and more 

 lustrous, and the fur more valuable in 

 winter than in summer ; nose and legs, 

 at all seasons, dark, and the tip of the ears 

 light. The fur of this animal is of two 

 kinds, one coarse and the other line and 

 downy. The usual length of the head 

 and body, 16 inches; tail, 9. 



HisToKv.-In Vermont the name of Mar- 

 tin and Sable are indifferently applied to 

 thisanimal,but the latter incorrectly, as the 

 true sable is not found in this country. In 

 works on natural history it is usually de- 

 nominated the Pine Martin. This animal 

 was formerly very plentiful in most parts 

 of the state, but it is at present chiefly 

 confined to the mountainous and woody 

 portions. Though small it is much hunt- 

 ed for its fine and valuable fur, which, 

 with the clearing and settling of the coun- 

 try, has very much reduced their num- 

 bers. Many are, however, still talien on 

 the forest-clad mountains along the cen- 

 tral part of the state. They are usually 

 caught in traps baited with some kind 

 of fresh meat. Their food consists of 

 mice, hares, partridges, and other birds. 

 They often rob birds nests of their eggs, or 

 young, and will ascend trees for that pur- 

 pose, or to escape pursuit. When its re- 

 treat is cut off, it will turn upon its assail- 

 ant, arch its back, erect its hair and hiss 

 and snarl like a cat. It will sometimes 

 seize a dog by the nose and bite so hard, 

 that, unless the latter is accustomed to the 

 combat, it suffers the little animal to es- 

 cape. It is sometimes tamed and will 

 manifest considerable attachment to its 

 master, but never becomes docile. Mar- 

 tins burrow in tjie ground. The female 

 is smaller than the male. Her time of 

 gestation is said to be only si.x weeks, and 

 she brings forth from four to seven at a 

 litter, about the last of April. A full 



