regions or heavily timbered forests, especially preferring the ever- 

 greens, whence the name "pine marten" is sometimes applied to 

 them. Fortunately like the mink, they are fully competent to cope 

 with any wild enemy they may find in these haunts, and once 

 freed from the plots of human ingenuity, lead a very comfortable 

 life. 



Although they measure but seventeen inches in length, without 

 the bushy seven-inch tail, yet these four-footed creatures seem 

 far too big for the dwelling they often select, which is none other 

 than a hole high up in some tree. It may be just a hollow in the 

 trunk or the deserted nest of some large bird or squirrel, but it 

 must be cozily lined with moss, grass and dry leaves before the new 

 tenants feel perfectly at home. Occasionally a household may be 

 established in the crevice of a rock, but even then much of the time 

 will be spent running gracefully up and down the tree trunks, or 

 lurking among the branches with silent furred feet and all ready to 



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