no LLOYD'S NATURAL HISTORY. 



late as June, 1892, a fact which is not at all surprising 

 when we consider that Wexford comes next to Kilkenny, a 

 county in some parts of which the Marten is still plentiful." 



Habits. — An excellent climber, the Marten during part of th( 

 year is a denizen of woods and plantations ; but, as we shal 

 see below, in some districts at least is to be found in the opei 

 rocky country. Occasionally it has been known to take up it! 

 abode near a farmyard, and to wage war on the smaller denizen! 

 thereof. As a rule four or five young form a litter, but th( 

 number may vary from two to seven ; and as at least two litteri 

 are produced in a year, the Marten may be regarded as i 

 prolific animal, so that it is only as the result of continua 

 persecution that it is so rapidly becoming exterminated. It! 

 usual food comprises such birds as it can kill, together witl 

 their eggs, the smaller mammals, and reptiles. 



Writing of tlio habits of these animals in the north o 

 England, Mr. F. Nicholson says that when hunted, " the] 

 usually make at once for the rocks and crevices, going at i 

 great pace at first, but are soon run into unless they succeed 

 in reaching some hole in a crag where hounds and huntsmei 

 cannot follow. They fight desperately with both claws am 

 feet. When before hounds on level and snow-clad ground the] 

 proceed with a succession of astonishing long leaps, often si] 

 or seven feet apart. They do not usually come down to th( 

 wooded parts of the country except for breeding purposes, bu 

 the greater part of the year they follow the screes and highe 

 fell-ground. Though thev generally come down to the wood 

 in the valleys in April z.l May to have their young ones^ 

 selecting some old Magpie's nest or Squirrel's drey for a home 

 still they sometimes breed in the rocks near the tops of thu 

 highest hills. It is only at such times that the Marten i: 

 easily trapped, for, unlike the Polecat, it does not approach ; 

 given spot by one track. They do not seem so suspicious 



