WEASEL FAMILY. 53 
I9 
Over the greater part of Europe this marten is a commoner animal 
than the preceding, which it also exceeds in the greater boldness of 
its disposition. Although it is a frequenter of woods and trees, it is also found 
not uncommonly among rocks and stones, and hence receives its German name 
of steinmarder. In barren districts like Ladak this marten must, of course, near] y 
always dwell among rocks. From its bold disposition it is frequently found in the 
neighbourhood of human habitations, where it inflicts much damage on poultry. 
Habits. 
In its general mode of life the species closely resembles M. martes. The nest 
is carefully formed of hay and straw, and situated in a hole in a tree, in the 
crannies between rocks, or in an old barn or granary. The young, generally from 
four to five in number, are born about the month of April, and are blind for the 
first fortnight of their existence. Its wanderings at night during the summer are 




THE BEECH-MARTEN (i nat. size). 
extensive; and no dove-cot—however lofty it may be—is safe when there is a 
marten anywhere in the neighbourhood. The food of this species is much the 
same as that of the last, although in inhabited districts including more domesti- 
eated animals. It feeds on mice, rats, rabbits, and all kinds of birds; and, when 
dwelling in woods, hunts and kills squirrels, lizards, and frogs. It likewise eats 
fruits of various kinds, such as cherries and plums; and in some parts of the 
Continent is considered to do so much harm to orchards that the stems of the trees 
are washed with tobacco-juice or petroleum in order to prevent the marten from 
ascending them. Like all its kindred, the beech-marten is, for its size, an ex- 
ceedingly bloodthirsty creature, and will often kill more than it can devour, 
Although generally silent, in the pairing-season, which takes place towards the 
end of February (or about three weeks later than that of the pine-marten), these 
animals utter a kind of mewing sound not unlike that of a cat; and a pair of them 
in a tree may be heard for a considerable distance. 
