27 



The eyes are large for the genus ; the ears are low, but very wide ; the 

 muzzle large. The tail is but little shorter than the trunk, bushy at 

 base, tapering rapidly and evenly to an acute tip. 



The feet are short and stout, armed with sharp claws. There is a 

 naked ball under the end of each of the five digits, and a V-shaped cal- 

 losity on eaeh paltn and sole. A tenth pad is found near the outer bor- 

 der of the wrist, far back from the others. This pad is wanting on the 

 hind feet. 



History and, Habits. — The name Usher, applied to this species, as sug- 

 gested by DeKay, may have been given from its propensity to steal the 

 fish used by trappers for bait, or frozen fish laid up for food. It is an 

 appellation of uncertain origin, inapplicable, as the species is not 

 aquatic, and does not fish or eat fish habitually, therefore, Dr. Couee 

 thinks Pekan a better common name, as it does not mislead or perpetu- 

 ate the existing confusion. 



The Pekan is carnivorous and predacious ; prefers meat to fish. If its 

 natural food fails, it takes to a vegetarian diet, feeding freely on beech- 

 nuts. Richardson was informed that " its favorite food was the Canada 

 Porcupine, which it kills by biting on the belly;" also, .that it preys 

 much upon Progs in the summer time. 



The smaller quadrupeds — Mice, Moles, as well ai the Hare, Rabbit, and 

 Grouse — fall a prey to the Fisher ; and the closely allied Pine Marten 

 does not always escape. It successfully assaults the Raccoon, so that in 

 some localities the abundance of Raccoons would seem to be dependent 

 on the scarcity of the Pekan. 



They are nocturnal in their habits, but not so much so as the Foxes. 

 They are very strong for their size ; they tear down the wooden traps of 

 the hunter, visiting them regularly, as do the Wolverines, to get the 

 bait. 



Unlike the Wolverine, they do not drag off and bury the sticks of the 

 trap, nor are they as cunning, being readily taken in steel traps. When 

 taken young, it is easily domesticated, grows fat, and is as playful as a 

 kitten. 



The Pekan is stated to breed but once a year, producing two to four 

 young at a litter. It selects for its breeding place the hollow of a tree, 

 having its entrance some thirty or forty feet from the ground. 



It defends its young savagely. 



