FRIENDS OR FOESf 193 



into his clutches sometimes, through the bird's 

 own vanity. 



Destroyer of the feathered race though he is, 

 there is one of them that even he must hold in 

 dread. Keepers of the deer-forest and Highland 

 foresters have stated, and also proved their state- 

 ment, that the golden eagle will pounce on and kill 

 the marten; in fact, that it is his favourite prey 

 whenever he can get it. In captivity the golden 

 eagle will also kill and eat any cat that comes within 

 reach of his chain when he is on perch. 



The marten in a captive state is a very pleasant- 

 looking creature. I remember a fine pair for whom 

 some large limbs of trees were placed in their house, 

 over which they frisked and bounded with the ease 

 and gracefulness of squirrels. 



The skin of the marten has one very good quality, 

 independently of its beauty, and that is sweetness — 

 hence its name of sweet marten. Other members 

 of the same family have a most abominable odour, 

 which prevents their fur from being used. The 

 smell can be got rid of, but the process is a long one. 



To the small farmer in some lonely Scottish glen 

 or mountain strath, the marten is a plague, and a 



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