CHAPTER VII. 



HOW TO CATCH THE MARTEN. 



The Pine Marten, a native of the North, and an inhabit- 

 ant of the pine forests, whence it derives its name, is 

 abundant in the northern portions of British America, and 

 is not uncommon among the wooded ravines of the north- 

 ern United States. It builds its habitation chiefly on tlie 

 tops of the fir, or seizes on the already formed nest of the 

 squirrel, or some bird, whence it drives the owner, and 

 enlarges for its own convenience. It is of rather less size 

 than the common Marten, but its fur is finer and darker, 

 and the throat and breast yellow, instead of white. In 

 summer it assumes a lighter tinge, and its hair be- 

 comes shorter : in winter its toes are well j^rotected by 

 long wool, which drops off as the weather gets warm. Its 

 habits are similar to the common Marten, but it is more 

 fierce ; it never meets the wild-cat without a deadly en- 

 counter, and is sometimes victorious even over the 

 eagle, when that bird pounces on its prey, seizing the 

 aggressor by the throat, and bringing it lifeless to the 

 ground. Formerly, the fur of this species formed a lucra- 

 tive article of export from the United States. At pres- 

 ent immense quantities are brought from Siberia, and in 

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