258 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



THE SABLE. 

 (Mustela Zibelliua, Linn. I. a Zibcliiu\ Buff.) 



So highly esteemed for its skin, is a native of the 

 snowy regions of the North; it is found chiefly in 

 Siberia, Kamschatka, and some of the islands 

 which lie between that country and Japan. It is 

 also found in Lapland. 



The darkest furs are the most valuable. A single 

 skin, though not above four inches broad, is some- 

 times valued as high as fifteen pounds. The Sable 

 differs from all other furs in this, that the hair turns 

 with equal ease to either side. 



The Sable resembles the Martin in form, and is 

 about the same size. It lives in holes in the earth, 

 by the banks of rivers, and under the roots of trees. 

 It makes its nest of moss, small twigs, and grass. 



The female brings forth in the spring, and pro- 

 duces from three to five at one time. Sometimes, 

 like the Martin, it forms its nest in the hollow of a 

 tree. 



It is very lively and active, and leaps with great 

 agility from tree to tree, in pursuit of small birds, 



