Sub-Family MUSTELINE. 

 Genus Mustela. 



THE PINE MARTEN. 



Mustela maries, Linnaeus. 

 Plate 19. 



Two species of Marten were at one time believed to inhabit the British 

 Islands, namely the Beech Marten, m. foina, and the Pine Marten, m. 

 abietum, as described by Bell in his British Quadrupeds^ and it was not 

 until 1879 that the late E. A. Alston was able to prove that we have 

 only one, the Pine Marten. 



This species differs from the white-breasted Beech Marten of the 

 more southern parts of Continental Europe, in having a narrower skull, 

 while the coat is darker and the breast usually orange or yellowish white. 

 As the latter becomes paler and often white when the animal grows 

 older, our Marten was frequently confused with the other, though not 

 by observant naturalists like Charles St. John, who long ago stated his 

 belief that we had only one. 



In colour, the outer fur of the Pine Marten is a rich glossy 

 brown, under fur warm grey, the legs and feet a deep brown. The 

 length of head and body about 21 inches, the tail (including hairs) 12 

 inches. 



This species has a wide range over northern Europe and Asia, and 

 at one time was common in many parts of the British Islands, though 

 now much restricted in distribution and numbers. 



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