Feb., 1912. Mammals of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 383 



Type locality — Eastern North America. 



Distribution — Northeastern North America from Wisconsin, Mich- 

 igan and New York north to about the latitude of Hudson Bay, 

 west to Minnesota, south in mountains to Virginia; replaced in 

 the West and North by allied forms. 

 Description — Ears rather high and pointed ; general color dark yel- 

 lowish brown, darkest on middle of back and shading into dusky 

 on the legs and tail; head tinged with gray; a patch of orange buff 

 on throat and breast; claws brownish white. This species varies 

 in color, the brown being lighter or darker in different individuals; 

 the throat patch varies from orange to yellowish white. 

 Measurements — Total length, about 25 in. (627 mm.); tail vertebrae, 

 about 7.75 in. (197 mm.); hind foot, about 3.50 in. (89 mm.). 

 While the Marten is steadily decreasing in numbers and is, at the 

 present time, a comparatively rare animal within our limits, a few are 

 still to be found in northern Wisconsin. In former days its range 

 extended considerably farther south. Kennicott records it in his mam- 

 mals of Cook Co., Illinois, and there is a skeleton in the Chicago Acad- 

 emy of Sciences which is said to have been taken in northern Illinois 

 many years ago. Wisconsin records are as follows: The Field Museum 

 collection contains a specimen from Florence County, and a skull from 

 Star Lake, Vilas Co.; Dr. H. V. Ogden of Milwaukee has skulls in his 

 collection from Fisher Lake, Iron Co., and Drummond, Bayfield Co. 

 The following gentlemen have informed me that Martens are still to be 

 found in the counties of northern Wisconsin named below, their state- 

 ments being based upon personal knowledge or the testimony of reliable 

 hunters and trappers in their locality: Marinette Co. (Mr. Geo. A. 

 Williams, Kremlin); Florence Co. (Mr. J. E. Parry, Florence); Price 

 Co.* (Mr. W. J. Webster, Park Falls); Iron Co. (Mr. Edward Ball, 

 Sandrock); Bayfield Co. (Mr. M. Berg, Cable); Douglas Co. (Mr. N. 

 Lucins, Jr., Solon Springs, and Mr. G. W. Zeon, Foxboro); Marathon 

 Co. (Mr. Geo. F. Erzwein, Athens). 



The Marten is an inhabitant of the forests and, like the Fisher, is 

 an expert climber and largely arboreal in its habits. It preys upon 

 almost any animal that comes in its way, from Hares to Mice, as well 

 as fish, frogs, birds, bird's eggs and carrion. Regarding its habits 

 Robert Kennicott says: '' ... the retreat of the martens is 

 usually in standing hollow trees, and that, in winter, they may fre- 

 quently be discovered sitting with their heads out of the holes. As, 

 if shot in this position, they would fall back and be lost, advantage is 



* Mr. Webster, who is superintendent of schools, writes me that quite a number 

 of Martens have been taken in Price County. 



