BAUM MABTEN. 105 



the latter animal the throat is pure white, the line 

 between the two colours well denned, and the fur coarse. 

 The tail of the Baum Marten is about 6 inches in 

 length ; it is thick and bushy, and generally of a 

 yellowish-brown shade, but sometimes a very light 

 brown ; it is very rarely tipped with white. The fur is 

 valuable, and is generally made into capes. The tails 

 are of greater value than those of the Stone Marten, 

 and are used for the same purpose. The heads are 

 much esteemed for sporrans in Scotland. 



The Norwegian animals produce the best fur, being 

 finer and thicker than that from other parts. 



The Pine Marten has been called the Sweet Marten in 

 distinction to the Foul Marten or Polecat, and in some 

 parts of England it is called the Marten Cat. It lives 

 in trees, and feeds principally on young birds, such as 

 wood pigeons, etc. It is very probable that it sucks eggs. 



Drab, yellow, or fawn examples are occasionally met 

 with. It is probably the same species as the American 

 Marten. The late St. John, in his " Natural History of 

 the Highlands" (page 124), says : 



" The Marten Cat is a very beautiful and graceful 

 animal, with a fine fur, quite devoid of all smell, but, 

 owing to its great agility, it must be one of the most 

 destructive of the tribe. When hunting, their move- 

 ments are quick and full of elegance, the effect of which 

 is much heightened by their brilliant black eyes and 

 rich brown fur, contrasted with the orange-coloured 

 mark on their throat and breast. The Marten, when 

 disturbed by dogs, climbs a tree with the agility of a 

 Squirrel, and leaps from branch to branch, and from 

 tree to tree. I used frequently to shoot them with my 

 rifle on the tall pine-trees of Sutherlandshire. In this 

 part of the country they are now seldom seen." 



