192 FROM SPRING TO FALL. 



prey that has left it of its own accord, or has had 

 notice to quit. 



The general appearance of the marten is that of 

 a small, low-legged fox, and the fur is of a rich 

 warm brown hue. He is remarkably active and very 

 strong. When he has his home near gardens he 

 will eat and enjoy fruit. If let alone he would still 

 increase and do well with us in England, but, being 

 such a foe to game, he gets little quarter given him. 

 When he makes his home on the ground it is under 

 rocks or cairns of stone. In the Highlands of Scot- 

 land he is still to be found, in larger or smaller num- 

 bers, according to the district and the population. 

 In the so-called deer-forests he holds his own well. 

 In some cases he has been very wisely protected, for 

 he kills the Alpine hares, or blue hares, as they are 

 generally called, which turn white in winter, and 

 which have increased to such an extent, since orders 

 were given for the destruction of all animals and 

 birds of prey, as to become a perfect nuisance in the 

 deer-forests. 



The marten is wise, and confines himself chiefly 

 to blue hares, grouse, and ptarmigan. That 

 wary bird, the blackcock or black - grouse, gets 



