85 



The Pekan, or Fisher Weasel. 



Mustela Canadensis, Linn. North. ZooJ. i. 52. Le Pekan, 

 Buff. Fisher, Pennant. Pennant's Marten, Godman. 

 Otchoek, Cree Indians. Pekan, Canadian Voyagers. We- 

 jack, or Fisher, Fur Traders. Woodshock, Hudson's Buy 

 Company's Sale Lists. 



This animal was long cohfounded^ both by voyagers 

 and naturalists^ with the minx ; so that^ although 

 abundant in the fur countries towards Hudson's Bay, 

 Dr. Richardson appears to be the first writer who distinctly 

 described it. From the Northern Zoology, we learn 

 that it is a larger and stronger animal than any of the 

 varieties of the pine marten, but that its manners are 

 similar, — climbing trees with equal facility, and preying 

 chiefly upon mice. It lives in damp woods ; in which 

 respect it differs from the martens, who prefer the dryest 

 places in the pine forests. The fisher is said to prey, 

 during summer, upon frogs ; but it appears that its 

 favourite food is the Canadian porcupine, which it kills 

 by biting on the belly. It does not seek its food in the 

 water, although it is well known to plunder the hoards 

 of frozen fish laid up by the natives. Its geographic 

 range is very wide, extending from Pennsylvania to Great 

 Slave Lake, and completely across the continent. 



The fur has a considerable resemblance to that of the 

 common pine marten in its summer dress ; but it is 

 harsher, and much less valuable ; and the animal itself 

 is nearly twice the ordinary size of the other. Some 

 thousands are annually killed in the Hudson's Bay 

 countries. 



The general physiognomy of the pekan is very dif- 

 ferent from that of the marten : when the latter is 

 threatened, its features resemble those of an enraged 

 cat ; whereas the expression of the pekan more resembles 

 that of a dog. The colour of the fur, outside, is blackish 

 brown, with a considerable lustre : the throat, belly, and 

 legs are brownish black ; sometimes there is a white 

 spot between the fore legs, or on the throat, and another 

 G 3 



