[Illustration: MARTEN SEEKING FOOD IN THE TREES.]
There are three species of Marten that make their home in Europe and
Western Asia—the Pine Marten, the Sable and the Beech or Stone Marten.
These all have large, open ears, and long bushy tails, and they live
principally upon the trees, where, creeping from branch to branch, they
hunt the small Birds and Squirrels. They are usually found in the gloom
of dense forests.
The Beech or Stone Marten is found in all parts of Europe, not only in
the woods, but often in thick hedges and vineyards wherever there is
shelter for it to creep along and hunt its prey. It will often make its
home near a farm house and destroy with great fury the small domestic
animals.
The Sable is eagerly sought after on account of its fur. Its home is in
the northern part of Europe, in the coldest parts of Russia and Siberia.
The Turks, Russians and Chinese are the principal purchasers of their
skins, and they distribute them in trade, far and wide, through Europe
and Asia. The winter coat of the Sable is almost black and very close,
and is much more valuable than when the animal is in summer dress.
The Russian exiles in Siberia hunt the Sable, and when in search of this
animal they are exposed to the perils of famine, climate and wild
beasts.
The Pine Marten is found in Northern Europe and North America. It owes
its name to its supposed preference for the cones of the pine tree, as
the Beech Marten is thought to select the fruit of the beech. The Pine
Marten is of considerable size; its color yellowish, blended in some
parts with a blackish tint; head lighter; throat yellow; tail long,
bushy, and pointed. The fur varies in different individuals, both in
color and fineness.
This animal lurks in the thick woods, where its prey—Squirrels, Mice,
Birds and their eggs—abound. It feeds likewise on Insects, Fish and the
smaller Reptiles, and also on berries, nuts and honey. It is active and
sprightly, and we are told by Dr. Godman that the Pine Marten frequently
has his den in the hollows of trees, but very commonly takes possession
of the nest of some industrious Squirrel, which it enlarges to suit its
convenience, after putting the builder to death.
These animals are caught for the sake of their fur, which is, however,
inferior to that of the Sable Marten. A Partridge’s head with the
feathers is the best bait for the log traps in which this animal is
taken. It 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 fight, it allows the animal to escape.
It may be easily tamed, and it soon acquires an attachment to its
master, but it never becomes docile. Its flesh is occasionally eaten,
though it is not prized by the Indians.