SABLE. 411 



but the Count de Buffon considers them as per- 

 fectly distinct, and observes that no variation is 

 ever known to take place in the colours, or the 

 manners of the two animals; but that the one con- 

 fines itself entirely to the deep recesses of the 

 forests, while the common Martin approaches 

 our habitations, and takes up his abode in old 

 buildings, hay-lofts, holes of walls, &c. Both 

 species have an agreeable kind of musky smell. 

 Buffon affirms that the Pine Martin frequently 

 usurps the nest of the Squirrel, as well as of the 

 Buzzard, &c. in order to breed in, and sometimes 

 dislodges the Woodpeckers from their holes for 

 the same purpose. It is said to produce seven or 

 eight young at a birth. 



SABLE. 



Viverra Zibellina. 



Mustek Zibellina. M. corpore obscure fulvo, frwite exalbida, 



guttvre cinereo. Lin. Syst. Nat. Gmel. p. 96. 

 Blackish-fulvous W. with whitish front, and grey throat. 

 Mustela Sobella. Gesn. Quadr.p. 768. 

 Mustela Zibellina. Aldr. dig. p. 335. 

 Zibeline. Evff. 13. p. 309. 

 Sable Weesel. Pennant Quadr. z. p. 43. 



THE Sable is greatly allied to the Martin in its 

 general appearance, but has a longer or sharper 

 head, and more lengthened ears. Its general co- 

 lour is a deep glossy brown; the hair being ash- 



