History of British animals - University of Guam Marine Laboratory

14 MAMMALIA. FERA. Martes.Mustek, Merr. Pin. 1G7—M. sylvestris, Sibb. Scot. 11 M. Candida,Ray, Quad. p. 198—M. Er. Lin. Syst. 1. p. 08— Stoat or Ermine, Pen.Br. Zool. 1. p. 89— E, Winter Weasel; ^Weasel; W. Carlwm Insummer, haunts woods and hedges, in winter corn-yards and barns.The length of the body is about 10 inches, of the tail inches. In winterthe fur assumes a white colour, and is then highly prized. In this state,however, the black on the tail continues unaltered. It is fond of eggs, pigeons,rats, and putrid meat. I have seen it pursuing a young hare by the scent,tracing the steps with as much accuracy as a harrier. This is supposed by DrWalker, in his Essays, p. 485., to be the animal considered by the Highlandersas noxious to horses, and which is thus described in the Statistical Accountof Kirkmichael, Banffshire, (Itev. John Grant, vol. xii."p. 449): In thesemountains, it is asserted by the country people, that there is a small quadrupedwhich they call Famh. In summer mornings it issues from its lurkingplaces,emitting a kind of glutinous matter fatal to horses, if they happen toeat of the grass upon which it has been deposited. It is somewhat largerthan a mole, of a brownish colour, with a large head disproportionate to'itsbody. From this deformed appearance and noxious quality, the word seemsto have been transferred to denote a monster, a cruel mischievous person,who, in the Gaelic language is usually called famh-fhear." It is probablysame theprejudice to which Sibbald refers, (Scot. 111." p. 11). Lavellan, animalin Cathanesia frequens, in aquis dulcis degit, capite mustelse sylvestri simile,ejusdemque coloris bestia est. Habitu bestiis nocet. Itemedium autem est,si de aqua bibant, in qua ejus caput coctum sit."17- M. Putorius. Foumart.— Fur blackish-brown, paler belowand about the ears, with the tail uniform.Putorius, Merr. Pin. p. 108—Sibb. Scot. 11— Ray, Quad. p. 199 Lin.Syst. 1. 07-, Fitchet.—Pen. Br. Zool. 1. p. 89— E, Polecat, Fitchew ;IV. Ffwlbard ; G, Foclan—In holes under trees, near rivulets.Length of the body 17 inches, of the tail inches. It brings forth sixyoung ones at a time. Claws long—In its burrowing habits it resembles theotter. Most destructive to pigeon-houses, poultry-yards and warrens ; killingand sucking the blood of numbers of the inhabitants.The Ferret, M. Furo, ismerely an albino of this species. It has white furand red eyes. It breeds freely with the dark individuals.Gen. XI. MARTES.Martin.— Three tearing grinders inthe upper jaw, the front one falling with age; four inthe lower jaw. Ears middle-sized ;tongue smooth ; smellmusky.18. M. fagorum. Common Martin.— Throat and breastwhite.Martes,—Mem. Pin. p. 107—Sibb. Scot. p. 11 M. fag. Ray, Quad.p. 200—Mustela martes, var. fag. Lin. Syst. 1.87—Martin, Pen.Zool. 1. 92. tab. vi. f. 15—La Fouine, Cuvier, Reg. An. 1. p. 149E, Martin or Martlet ; IF, Bela Graig —In woods and rocks in thesouth of Scotland and England.The length of the body is about 18 inches, the tail 10. The general colourof the fur is dark brown, the head having a reddish tinge— It is a great destroyerof poultry and game. Easily tamed. Lodges frequently in hollowsof trees, and brings forth from four to six young.19- M. dbietum. Pine-Martin.— Throat and breast yellow.