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PINE MARTEN. 
upon birds, their eggs and young, squirrels, the white-footed and other 
mice, shrews, ivood-rats, &c., together with beetles and other insects, larvae 
of different species, toads, frogs, lizards, water reptiles, and fish. It is also 
an eater of some kinds of berries and nuts (as we are informed), and is said 
to be fond of honey like the bear. 
It has been supposed that the name Pine Marten was given to this 
animal because it inhabits the pine forests of the northern parts of this 
continent, and shows a preference for those trees, in the lofty tops of which 
it frequently resides. The Pine Marten, however, is often called the 
American Sable or the Sable, and in fact is more generally known to the 
country people of our northern States, and also to the furriers, by the 
latter name than by any other. 
Sprightly and agile in its movements, the Pine Marten commonly pro- 
cures abundance of food. It is prolific, bringing forth from six to eight 
young at a time, so that notwithstanding the value of its fur and the con- 
sequent pursuit of it during the proper season, it is still by no means a 
scarce animal. We have had several specimens sent to us by friends 
residing in the State of New York and in the wilder portions of our 
Canada frontier, which were procured among the woody hills of those 
districts. 
According to Dr. DeKay (New York Pauna, p. 33), this species is so 
active as to destroy great quantities of squirrels, the red squirrel ( Sciurus 
Hudsonius ) only escaping by its superior agility. Dr. Godman remarks 
that the “ Pine Marten frequently has its den in the hollows of trees, but 
very commonly takes possession of the nest of some industrious squirrel, 
which it enlarges to suit its own convenience, after putting the builder to 
death.” 
Sir John Richardson says that “particular races of Martens, distin- 
guished by the fineness and dark colour of their fur, appear to inhabit 
certain rocky districts.” “ A partridge’s head, with the feathers, is the 
best bait for the log traps in which this animal is taken. It does not reject 
carrion, and often destroys the hoards of meat and fish laid up by the 
natives, when they have accidentally left a crevice by which it can enter. 
The Marten, when its retreat is cut off, shows its teeth, sets up its hair, 
arches its back, and makes a hissing noise like a cat. It will seize a dog 
by the nose and bite so hard, that unless the latter is accustomed to the 
combat, it suffers the little animal to escape.” 
The Indians sometimes eat the Pine Marten, but its flesh is rank and 
coarse. We have seen this species in confinement, when it appeared 
tolerably gentle, and had lost much of its snappish character. 
The Pine Marten burrows in the ground at times," and the female brings 
