328 THE SABLE. 



trap-fall is up, stands over the notched end of the 

 post. At the extremity of the support is a mat- 

 string, and another at the lower transverse beam, 

 tied very short. Both are brought together ; and a 

 stick is put through them, having at its lower ex- 

 tremity a piece of flesh or wild-fowl attached, which, 

 by its preponderance, keeps the stick down, and 

 thus holds the two strings together. The Sable 

 creeps cautiously along the lower beam, till he can 

 reach the bait, and pull it to him ; this looses the 

 stick to which the bait is tied, and by which the 

 strings were held together ; the stay slips its hold, 

 and consequently the upper beam falls upon the 

 shoulders of the animal and holds him fast. 



Sables frequent the banks of rivers, and the thick-* 

 esr parts of the woods. They live in holes under 

 ground, and especially under the roots of trees ; but 

 they sometimes make their nest (consisting of moss^ 

 small twigs, and grass) in the hollows of trees. The 

 female brings forth in the spring, and produces from 

 three to five at a time. In winter they live on ber- 

 ries of difi'erent kinds ; but in the summer-time, 

 before these arc ripe, they devour Hares, Weesels, 

 Ermines, and other small animals *. 



The Sable is a lively and active animal ; and leaps 

 with great agility from tree to tree, in pursuit of 

 birds or Squirrels. It is said to feed also on wild 

 fruits and berries. M. Gmelin saw two of these ani- 

 mals that had been in some measure domesdcated. 

 Whenever they saw a Cat, they would rise on their 



* Grieve, 110, 



