GLUTTON. 
461 
length of the back are black-brown, the colour 
widening somewhat over the sides as it passes on, 
and again lessening or contracting towards the 
tail ; or the description might be given in other 
words, by saying, that the colour of the body is a 
fine glossy black-brown, with a ferruginous tinge 
along the sides, so as to form a broad lateral 
zone; but it is to be observed, that the animal va- 
ries considerably in colour; sometimes appearing 
black, with a subferruginous lateral band ; and at 
other times of a chesnut-colour : the feet are 
black. In the American variety, hereafter to be 
described, a whitish or ash-coloured band or bor- 
der runs along the body, in the same manner as 
the ferruginous one in the European kind. 
The Glutton, as its name imports, has the cha- 
racter of a very voracious animal, preying indiscri- 
minately both on fresh prey and carrion. One which 
was kept at Dresden would eat thirteen pounds of 
fiesh in a day, without being satisfied. It attacks 
deer, birds, field-mice, &c. and even sometimes 
the larger cattle ; and is said to sit on the branches 
of trees, and suddenly to spring down on such ani- 
mals as happen to pass beneath; tearing them, 
and sucking the blood, till they fall down through 
faintness, when it begins to devour the spoil. In 
winter it seeks out and catches ptarmigans under 
the snow. What it cannot devour at once it is said 
to hide under ground, or in the cavity of some 
tree. It is said to be an animal of uncommon 
fierceness and strength ; and will sometimes dis- 
pute the prey both with the Wolf and Bear. It 
