THE PINE-MARTEN 



Martens are devoid of the unpleasant odour of the polecat, or foumart, and 

 are therefore suitable for taming. In their native forests they associate in pairs, 

 and make their nests high up in tall trees, selecting in some instances a hole in 

 the stem, but in other cases taking possession of the deserted nests of wood-pigeons 

 or other large birds, or occasionally the drey of a squirrel. In this nest are born 

 early in the spring the six or seven young, which come into the world blind, and 

 are tended by their parents with assiduous care ; and they remain in its neighbour- 

 hood till they are nearly full grown. 



In North America it has been observed that once in about every eight or ten 

 years martens more or less completely disappear from districts in which they are at 

 other times abundant. Strange to say, there is no evidence of the prevalence of 

 disease on such occasions ; and it is certain that the martens do not migrate after 

 the manner of lemmings. It has, however, been noticed by the trappers that just 

 before their disappearance none of the martens in the district will take a bait, 

 although at other times they are caught with comparative ease. 



In the forest martens and sables are much less difficult to approach than 

 many other wild animals ; but they nevertheless display a keen aversion to the 

 neighbourhood of human dwellings, which they never voluntarily approach. 

 Martens and sables, unlike their smaller relative the stoat or ermine, do not turn 

 white in winter ; for the very sufficient reason that, on account of being arboreal 

 animals, they would be extremely conspicuous in such a livery. They are so relent- 

 lessly hunted for the sake of their valuable fur, that it is a marvel they have not 

 long since been exterminated from many portions of their habitat. The value of 

 the skins of the ordinary European marten varies from eight to twelve shillings, 

 but Russian and Siberian sable commands a much higher price in the market. 



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