50 THE MARTEN, 



There are supposed to be two kinds of marten in 

 this country, the common marten and the pine-marten. 

 Of these, one is found chiefly on the south part of the 

 island. That is, 



THE COMMON MARTEN. (Martes fagorum). 



THIS species, if indeed it be a different species from 

 the other, and not a mere variety produced by dif- 

 ference of situation, is found in the woods of England, 

 and in the rocky parts of the Welch mountains, espe- 

 cially where they are covered with brushwood. It 

 lodges in hollow trees, and is said to eject other small 

 quadrupeds, and even birds of prey from their nests. 

 Of those it takes possession for its own brood, which 

 are generally about four in number. In its form and 

 appearance, the marten is by far the most elegant of 

 the British beasts of prey ; it is also the boldest, the 

 most agile in its motions, and the most powerful in 

 proportion to its size. Its head and body are about a 

 foot and a half long, and the tail about half as much 

 more. It is rather low on the legs, and the form of 



