232 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



the Martin is in the colour. The bread of the former is 

 yellow ; the colour of the body much darker ; and the 

 fur, in general, greatly fuperior in finenefs, beauty, and 

 value. 



The MARTIN 



is much more common in this country than the Pine- 

 Weafeh—It lives wholly in woods, and breeds in the hol- 

 lows of trees. It produces from four to fix young ones 

 at a time. 



This fpecies is the mo ft beautiful of all the Weafel 

 kind. Its head is fmall, and elegantly formed j its eyes 

 are lively ; and its motions quick and graceful. 



When taken young, it is eauiy tamed, and becomes 

 extremely playful and good-humoured. Its attachment, 

 however, is not to be depended upon. It readily takes 

 advantage of the firft opportunity to regain its liberty, 

 and retire to the woods, its natural haunts. 



The food of the Martin is much the fame with other 

 animals of its kind. It makes inceflant war with rats, 

 mice, and other vermin : Poultry, game, and fmall birds, 

 are its conftant prey : It feeds alfo on grain, and is ex- 

 tremely fond of honey. 



M. BufFon tells us of one of them that he had tamed, 

 which, he remarks, drank frequently. It fometimes flept 

 two days fucceifively, and at other times would continue 

 awake as long. In preparing itfelf for fleep, it folded 

 itfelf up in a round form, and covered its head with its 

 tail. When awake, its motions were fo violent, fo con- 

 ftant, and fo troublefome, that it was neceflary to keep 

 it chained. From the flexibility of its body, it eafily 

 eluded its fetters; and, after returning once or twice, at 

 laft abfented itfelf entirely. 



