GILPIN ON NOVA SCOTIAN MAMIVIALS. 11 



When we begin to study this species, we soon find a very 

 great variety in colour, not only between summer and winter 

 specimens, but between winter skins themselves, that are all in 

 the highest condition. Whilst they all coincide in what may be 

 called typical marks, such as colour of legs, tail, and especially 

 ears, all of which have a very pale but conspicuous rim or 

 border, they vary much in colour of face, some having black, 

 others faces so pale as to be nearly white, and the pale feces 

 have a lio^hter brown colour, and the orano-e throat much more 

 vivid. These marks are important, as they point to a very 

 intimate connection, if not identity, with the true Eussian sable, 

 which has a pale face. Till within a few years, it has been 

 confounded with the pine martin of Europe, (Jf. Martes.) 

 DeKay, Audubon, and even Sir John Richardson, describe it as 

 such. Turton is the first, in his edition of Linufeus, to show 

 its specific difiierences, and to give it the specific Americanus. 

 Subsequently Dr. Brant, a Russian naturalist, in a monograph 

 of the genus 3Iustela, calls it Americanus, shews its specific 

 difierences, but considers it identical in its white faced variety, 

 with M. Zabellina, the Russian sable. In figure this animal 

 resembles its congener, the fisher, though smaller — it has the 

 same round ear, with a light border, round head, nose not so 

 pointed, an arched back, and comparatively long and very muscu- 

 lar thighs and legs. The figure is set off by a handsome bushy 

 tail, and glittering eyes. In its habits it is a true tree weasel, 

 keeping in the densest pine forests, its food is small birds and 

 their eggs, the smaller mammals, shrews, and wood-mice, 

 squirrels and hares. It also preys upon frogs, lizards, and 

 beetles, takes bait from the hunter's trap, and according to some 

 writers, feeds also upon berries. It shows great cunning and 

 boldness in defending itself, or attacking its prey, and has been 

 seen winding a hare with tail erect, and nose to gi'ound, like a 

 small hound. It never approaches the open, but keeps to the 

 thick pine cover, where it makes its nest within a hollow tree, 

 beneath a rock, or even in an underground cave. It has six or 

 eight at a litter. About one thousand skins from Nova Scotia are 

 annually exported. Those from Newfoundland and Labrador 



