COMMON MARTEN. 209 



The generic separation of the Weasels from the Mar- 

 tens appears to be perfectly justified by their habits no 

 less than by their structure. Exhibiting the carnivorous 

 and sanguinary propensity in an extreme degree, and 

 confined principally, though not exclusively, to the 

 ground for their accustomed habitation as well as for 

 their food, the whole of the true Weasels possess a still 

 more elongated body than the Martens, with shorter ears 

 and tail, and a closer fur : they have also fewer false 

 grinding teeth, by one on each side, both of the upper 

 and lower jaw. The Martens, on the other hand, reside 

 chiefly in trees, and their structure is admirably suited 

 for such haunts. Creeping from branch to branch in 

 silent and stealthy pursuit of Birds, Squirrels, and 

 other small animals, their sharp and long claws afford 

 them a firm and secure hold of the bark, whilst the long 

 and somewhat bushy tail must considerably aid them in 

 maintaining their balance on the boughs ; the ears too 

 are large and open, — a circumstance which is of great 

 advantage to them in discovering and pursuing their prey, 

 amidst the dense foliage in which they love to conceal 

 themselves ; and, upon the whole, the typical structure 

 of the Martens is evidently intended to fit them for living 

 in trees, whilst that of the Weasels is as obviously suited 

 for the pursuit of animals not only on the ground, but 

 in the burrows and other subterranean retreats to which 

 their peculiar prey resorts. 



It is, however, true that the animals belonging both to 

 the one and the other of these forms, occasionally deviate 

 from the habits which more particularly belong to them. 

 Many of the Weasels are known at times to resort to 

 trees in pursuit of the smaller birds, and especially for 

 the purpose of attacking their nests, from which they 

 devour both eggs and young ; whilst the Martens often 



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