Fes., 1912. MamMars oF ILtinois AND WIscoNsIN — Cory. 389 
be seen in the heavy timber along Lake Michigan (J. c., 1854, p. 578) 
and again later, “It has been found within a few years in northern 
Illinois and appears to be an inhabitant of the woods alone”’ (J. c., 1859, 
p. 241). Strong (1883) says it was found in Wisconsin in the same 
districts as the Pine Marten in the northern and central portions of 
the state (J. c., p. 436). Dr. John T. Plummer informs us that, 
previous to the year 1820, the Fisher was not uncommon in Wayne 
Co., Indiana.* 
The Fisher is largely arboreal in its habits, climbing trees with 
great facility; but unlike the Marten it prefers timbered swamps and 
woods near water, for we are told that in summer frogs form a not 
inconsiderable portion of its diet. It also eats fish when it finds them, 
but the name of Fisher, by which it is popularly known, is inappropriate, 
inasmuch as it rarely catches live fish and by far the greater portion of 
its food consists of mammals, such as Mice, Hares, Squirrels, Porcupines, 
etc., varied occasionally by birds and eggs. That it does not confine 
itself when in search of prey to animals smaller than itself is vouched 
for by various writers. Dr. Elliott Coues states that it kills the Rac- 
coon, and Seton says he has been told by trappers that it will attack 
and kill Foxes.t To cap the climax Mr. Manly Hardy claims it has 
been known to kill a full grown Deer. He says: “In spite of their 
small size and light weight, Fishers not only’kill Deer, but can and do 
kill those of the largest size. When I first heard of this I doubted 
it, but know now that they often do it. A year ago last fall, my old 
friend, Louis Ketcham, was following the track of a large buck near 
the head of Nahmakanta Lake. In going along the side of a high 
granite ledge he saw where the buck had fallen, and there was blood 
on the snow. After stumbling along a few rods, it had fallen again, 
and there was more blood. This was repeated several times, and then 
he saw where the buck had struck a Fisher which had been clinging to 
its neck and biting it, and had knocked it several feet to one side. The 
Fisher was evidently badly hurt, as Louis said it dragged its hind-legs, 
making a track in the snow like an Otter, and had crawled into a crack 
in the ledge. On going back he found that the Fisher had been on top 
of the ledge, where the Deer path led along close to it, and had sprung 
down upon the Deer and was trying to bite the jugular vein. I have 
known of instances where they have been successful in doing this.’’t 
The Fisher is one of the few animals which prey habitually upon the 
Porcupine. Mr. E. T. Seton says: “George Linklater, for many years 
* Amer. Journ. Sci. and Arts, XLVI, 1844, p. 246. 
} Life Histories of Northern Animals, II, 1909, p. 939. 
t Shooting and Fishing, April 13, 1899, p. 526. 
