PINE MARTIN. 
Thefe animals inhabit, in great abundance, the northern parts of 
_ America; but I believe the fpecies ceafes before it arrives at the tem- 
perate provinces. ‘They appear again in the north of Europe, extend. 
acrofs the Urallian chain, but do not reach the Ody. 
They inhabit forefts, particularly thofe of fir and pine, and make 
their nefts in the trees. Breed once a year, and bring from two to 
four at a litter. They feed principally upon mice ; but deftroy alfo 
all kinds of birds which they can mafter. They are taken by the 
natives of Hud/on’s Bay in:fmall log-traps, baited, which fall on and 
kill them. The natives eat the flefh. 
Their fkins are among the more valuable furs, and make a moft 
important article of commerce. I obferved, that in one of the Hud-. 
fon’s Bay Company’s annual fales, not fewer than: 12,370 good fkins, 
and 2360 damaged, were fold; and in that year (1743) 30,325 were 
imported by the French from Canada into the port of Rochelle. They 
are found in great numbers in the midit of the woods of Canada; and 
once in two or three years come out in great multitudes, as if their 
retreats were overftocked: this the hunters look on as a forerunner 
of great fnows, and a feafon favorable to the chafe *.. 
It is remarkable, that notwithftanding this fpecies extends acrofs the: 
continent of America, from Hudfon’s Bay to the oppofite fide, yet it is 
loft on the Afatic fide of the ftraits of T/chukt/chi; nor is it recovered 
till you reach Catherinebourg, a diftrict of Sibiria weft of Tobol/R, and 
twenty-five degrees weft longitude diftant from America. The fineft 
in the known world are taken about Ufa, and in the mountains of” 
Caucafust+. It is known that the Z/chukt/chi t procure the fkins for 
cloathing themfelves from the Americans; their country being def- 
titute of trees, and confequently of the animals, inhabitants of foretts, 
furnifhing thofe ufeful articles. 
The Houfe Martin, Hi. Quad..N° 199, is found neither. in Ame- 
rica, or the Aréic countries. 
> Charlevoix, V.1975 + Dofor Pallas. t Moller, Pref, xxix,. 
Bifis. 
77 
Piace, 
Manners, 
