THE POLECAT. 
279 
however, deny that the Sable inhabits subterranean burrows, and assert that its nest is always 
made in a hollow tree. Their nests are soft and warm, being composed chiefly of moss, dried 
leaves, and grass. 
Their food is said to partake partially of a vegetable and partially of an animal character, 
according to the season of the year. In the summer time, when the hares and other animals 
are rambling about the plains and forests, the Sable takes advantage of their presence, and 
kills and eats them. But when the severity of the winter frosts has compelled these creatures 
to remain within their domiciles, the Sable is said to feed upon the wild berries that it finds 
on the branches. The hunters assert that the Sable is not content to feed only on the hares 
and such like animals, which constitute the usual prey of the larger Weasels, but that it is in 
the habit of killing and devouring the ermine and the smaller members of the Weasel tribe. 
Even birds fall victims to these agile and voracious animals, being often overtaken in their 
flight among the branches of trees by a well-aimed leap and a sharp stroke of the fore-paws. 
The Pekah, more popularly termed the Wood-shock, is a native of Canada and other 
parts of America, and is of some value on account of its fur, which is nearly as useful, although 
not so valuable, as that of the sable, with which animal it is very closely allied . The color of 
WOOD-SHOCK, OK PEKAN . — Martes canadensis. 
its fur is generally of a grayish -brown, the gray tint being found chiefly on its back, head, 
neck, and shoulders, and the legs, tail, and back of the neck marked with a much darker 
brown. 
Its habitation is usually made in burrows, which it excavates on the banks of rivers, 
choosing that aqueous locality on account of the nature of its food, which consists of fish and 
various quadrupeds which live near the water. Hunting the Wood-shock is a diversion which 
is greatly in vogue, as is especially followed by the younger portions of the community, w T ho 
find in this water-living, earth-burrowing, sharp-toothed animal, a creature which affords 
plenty of sport to themselves and their dogs, while it is not a sufficiently powerful antagonist 
to cause any great danger to its foes, if it should be driven to despair and assume the offensive, 
instead of yielding in sullen silence. 
The P oleo at has earned for itself a most unenviable fame, having been long celebrated 
as one of the most noxious pests to which the farmyard is liable. Slightly smaller than the 
marten, and not quite so powerful, it is found to be a more deadly enemy to rabbits, game, 
and poultry, than any other animal of its size. 
It is wonderfully bold when engaged upon its marauding expeditions, and maintains an 
impertinently audacious air even when it is intercepted in the act of destruction. Not only 
does it make victims of the smaller poultry, such as ducks and chickens, but attacks geese, 
turkeys, and other larger birds with perfect readiness. This ferocious little creature has a 
terrible habit of destroying the life of every animal that may be in the same chamber with 
itself, and if it should gain admission into a hen-house ^ill kill every one of the inhabitants, 
