226 CONSERVATION OF CANADIAN WILD LIFE 



While the difference between maximum and minimum 

 abundance does not appear to be great, it is not unlikely 

 that there is a distinct natural periodic cycle in the abim- 

 dance of wolves. 



Marten. — After the lynx the marten shows the most pro- 

 nounced periodic fluctuations of all our native mammals. 

 MacFarlane states: "This is probably the most constant of 

 the 'periodic' fur-bearing animals, whose presence in con- 

 siderable numbers is very largely dependent upon a great 

 abundance of hares or rabbits, though mice also form an 

 important item of marten diet. ... In years of plenty, 

 the marten is very numerous throughout the entire northern 

 forest region; but it is not uniformly so at the same time 

 in every section of the country all over the immense terri- 

 tories covered by the Hudson's Bay Company's trading 

 operations. When it is abundant or scarce, say in the 

 northern and western departments, it will generally be found 

 that there is an important and corresponding increase or 

 decrease in the southern and Montreal departments. The 

 natives maintain that lynxes and martens migrate from the 

 north and west to the east and south, and that when they 

 have attained their highest in numbers for several seasons 

 the great bulk (no section is ever totally devoid of mar- 

 tens) of those who escape capture resume the return march 

 until the next period of protracted migration. It must be 

 admitted that many old fur traders have come to enter- 

 tain similar views from their own personal experience and 

 observation. Of course there are post, district and de- 

 partmental fluctuations in annual results, caused by local 

 epidemics among the hunters and other relative reasons." 

 That the migration theory is widely held by fur traders is 

 further shown by the statement of Mr. T. K. MacDonald 

 of Winnipeg, after thirty-five years' experience as a chief 

 trader of the Hudson's Bay Company, quoted by Seton.* 



*" Life-Histories of Northern Mammals," vol. II, p. 907. 



