218 MUSTELADiE. 



forests of those trees, as the former is called by some 

 the Beech Marten, from a similar supposed preference 

 for beech woods. There is, however, scarcely sufBcient 

 ground for the exclusive appropriation of the two species 

 to these different localities. The Pine Marten is certainly 

 attached to pine forests ; but it is because the pine forests 

 are abundant in those places which, for climate as well as 

 for the production of its food, are most suited to its wants 

 and habits. 



Although probably existing in greater numbers than 

 the other in this country, it is less frequently trapped or 

 shot, which arises from its retiring to more remote and 

 unfrequented places, such as the depths of forests, 

 shunning the neighbourhood of man. It is equally agile, 

 equally destructive to birds and the smaller animals, and 

 still more timid and wild. All the Martens which we have 

 ourselves met with in Scotland have been of this species. 



The female makes her nest of moss and leaves in the 

 hollow trunks of trees, or usurps that of the Squirrel or 

 the Woodpecker. The number of young ones at a birth 

 is stated to be usually but two or three. 



The principal structural differences between them have 

 been already adverted to. The fur in the present species 

 is much more abundant, of a finer and softer texture, and 

 of a much richer colour ; and is consequently more highly 

 valued, though it is not nearly equal to that of the Sable. 



In the essay which we have quoted before, by Mr. Ben- 

 nett, on the comparison of the Beech and Pine Martens 

 and the Sable, that gentleman showed, with his usual acu- 

 men and extensive knowledge, the difficulties which exist 

 in separating the Sable from the present species. The 

 colour of the fur is scarcely a tangible or satisfactory dis- 

 tinction, for different individuals of the former species 

 vary quite as much in this respect as the Pine Marten and 



