Footprints of Marten 339 



history of feathers of small birds, found when there is no 

 snow on the ground, and where there is nothing to show 

 that a hawk has been at work ; or of rifled nests of mouse, 

 or vole, where the thief has evidently been some larger 

 animal than a weasel, and where their situation might 

 presumably have ensured their safety. The snow also 

 discovers, as hardly anything else could do, the manner of 

 the animal's progression. Thus the gait of a Marten, 

 under ordinary circumstances, is seen to be by a succession 

 of leaps, suggestive at once of the cantering of a hare, 

 though in the triangular position of the footprints the 

 track more closely resembles that of a large rabbit. Indeed, 

 the likeness is often so great that no casual examination 

 suffices to distinguish them. The trail may be followed 

 for a considerable distance, and the tracker be still unde- 

 cided, but perseverance will be rewarded sooner or later. 

 If the track holds on in a comparatively direct course, it 

 will soon become apparent that the animal can hardly 

 have been a rabbit, while perhaps the bounds may become 

 lengthened beyond the capacity of that animal ; that it is 

 not a hare's trail will probably very soon be settled in the 

 tracker's mind. But most certain indication of all, the trail 

 will, sooner or later, certainly lead to rocks, or trees, and then 

 any remaining doubt is quickly dispelled. Neither hares 

 nor rabbits climb trees ; and amongst the rocks the trail 

 will very soon lead where neither hare, nor rabbit, could go, 

 and where the discretion of the biped will probably dis- 

 courage him to follow, even if he were able to do so. A 

 careful cast round the precipice will show whether the 

 Marten has left it ; and though this may mean a long tramp, 

 it will probably be less wearisome than attempting to scale 

 the cliff, and should certainly prove decidedly less dangerous 

 snow work. If no track is found leading away from the 

 rocks, it may reasonably be assumed that the home of the 

 animal has been located, and with that the naturalist should 

 be satisfied for the present. If the snow continues, or a fresh 

 fall occurs, a subsequent visit will probably confirm the 

 previous observation, for the Marten is a most methodical 

 beast, hunting in the same direction, and approaching its 



