THE PINE MARTIN. 325 



he kept one, which was extremely playful and enter- 

 taining. It used to go to the houses of the neigh- 

 bours, and always returned home when it wanted 

 food. It was particularly fond of a Dog wirh which 

 it had been bred up ; and would play with him as 

 Cats do, lying on its back, and pretending to bite 

 him. Buffon had one, which, though it had lost its 

 ferocity, did not however discover any marks of at- 

 tachment, and continued so wild as to require being 

 chained. It frequently escaped from its confine- 

 ment : at first it returned after some hours absence, 

 but without appearing pleased ; the time of absence 

 of each succeeding elopement gradually increased, 

 and at last it took a final departure. During- its con- 

 finement, it sometimes slept for two days without in- 

 termission. When preparing for sleep,' it formed its 

 body into a circle; and hid its head, which it cover- 

 ed with its tail. 



These animals have a musky smell, which to many 

 persons is very agreeable. Their cry is sharp and 

 piercing ; but is never uttered except when in pain 

 or distress. Their principal food consists of Ratsj 

 Mice, and other small quadrupeds ; poultry, game, 

 &c. and they are also remarkably ibnd of honey. 



The female produces three or four young, wliich 

 soon arrive at a state of maturity. She is able to af- 

 ford them but a small quantity of milk ; but she 

 compensates for this natural defect, by brino-ing 

 home eggs and live birds to her offspring, and thus 

 early accustoms them to a life of carnage and plun- 

 der. As soon as the young are able to leave the 

 nest, slie leads them through the woods ; where 



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