14 FARM VERMIN, HELPFUL AND HURTFUL. 



THE MARTEN {Martes sylvestris). 



Two species of marten, known respectively as the Beech 

 and the Pine Marten, were formerly supposed to inhabit this 

 country ; but further investigation has shown that the 

 second species, while it occurs in continental Europe, is not 

 a British animal, and that the white and yellow breasted 

 martens found with us are merely varieties of one and the 

 same species. Martens, whether white or yellow breasted, 

 are now so rare in Great Britain that they can no longer be 

 looked upon in the light of vermin, but rather as interesting 

 survivors of a fast-departing race. In its habits the marten 

 is far more arboreal than the typical weasels — indeed, its 

 true home is among the branches of the larger timber trees, 

 and, accordingly, we hear of it in the days of its abundance 

 frequenting the larger ranges of woodland and the forests in 

 preference to more open country. In the branches the 

 martens caught birds (doubtless robbing many a nest of 

 young), probably squirrels also, but they were always 

 said to be very destructive to game, both ground and winged,, 

 and to visit farmyards, where they killed poultry of all 

 kinds. Yet even this destructive animal did some good 

 when it descended to the ground, and, seeking humbler prey, 

 destroyed mice, rats, voles, and moles. Those who have 

 had an opportunity of observing this animal in life are unani- 

 mous in their admiration of its beauty and the sprightliness 

 and activity of its movements. The fur of the marten bears 

 some resemblance, but is inferior, to that of the sable, and a 

 considerable quantity of skins are imported into England 

 from the North of Europe. The scent secreted by the glands 

 in this animal is much less unpleasant than in some other 

 members of the family, and it has on this account been called 

 the Sweet Marten, in contradistinction to the polecat, which 

 bears the name of foul-mart, or foumart. 



