RECREATION 
Volume XI, 
AUGUST, 1899. 
Number 2. 
G. 0. SHIELDS (COQUINA), Editor and Manager 
MISCH IE VOUS riils, 
G. A. PADDOCK. 
The pine marten, largest of the wea- 
sels and the American homologue of 
the sable, is found in regions where 
pine trees abound. Its skin is valu- 
able; choice pelts bringing as much as 
$15. They are often sold under the 
name of Hudson Bay sable. 
The pine marten is a timid animal 
and is seldom found near settle- 
ments. Its favorite habitat is high 
ground covered with thick pine 
woods. The region about the head of 
Lake Superior has long been noted for 
the number and value of the marten 
skins obtained there. 
The pine marten varies greatly 
ieecolor;, some are light yellow, 
some dark brown and others black. 
It is distinguished from the beech, 
or stone marten of Europe by the col- 
oration of its throat. The latter’s 
throat is white, while on our marten > 
it is yellow. 
_ The pine marten is about 28 inches 
in length, including the tail, which is 
1o inches long. It feeds on grouse 
and smaller birds and on small ani- 
mals. It is also fond of nuts and 
honey. It is a great traveler, but 
scarcely ever makes a straight track. 
It moves after the fashion of a rabbit, 
only it leaves but 2 tracks. These 
are about 2 inches apart, and one 
is not directly in front of the other. It 
springs 18 or 20 inches at a time. Its 
track resembles that of a mink, but 
is a little larger, for its foot, being 
covered with fur, spreads out more. 
81 
In sections where there are but few 
martens, they can be tracked to hol- 
loweuticess) Lie) marten) 1s* a oteat 
climber, and spends much of its time 
impetneessn ts ‘sprightly it its) mo0- 
tions, and possesses great muscular 
powers) It isva silent traveler, and 
comes by stealth upon its prey. It 
delights in robbing bird’s nests, tak- 
ing from them the eggs or young 
birds. It is fierce when attacked, or 
even disturbed, and when cornered 
makes a determined fight. 
Last Spring I had the good fortune 
to capture 2 young martens out of 
Alithena@ne4 ee iinemenest yas fini ya 
hollow log. I brought my prizes 
home, the little fellows sitting on my 
shoulder all the way without trying to 
escape. After giving them a hearty 
meal of bread and milk, sv-eetened 
with sugar, I put them in a box covy- 
ened wither slats. Lheys at once: fell 
asleep and did not awake until every- 
one was in bed. Then they gnawed 
out of the box and had a merry time 
playing about the house the rest or 
the night. In the morning they were 
found, fast asleep, in a coat pocket 
about 5 feet from the floor. 
They soon became great pets. 
When playing they make a sort of 
deep clucking noise, and when angry 
make a curious sound between a 
growl and a bark. If they do not 
want to be picked up they will scratch 
and bite fiercely. I once received 5 

