MEPHITIS MEPHITICA. 7 -, 



during its continuance I have never seen evidence of their presence ; 

 for it is at such times that they " den up." The length of time that 

 they remain in their holes depends entirely upon the duration of the 

 period of low temperature, and they are always out and active with 

 the first thaws of March. The occurrence of a thaw, at any time, com- 

 monly brings them to the surface, but a recurrence of the severe cold 

 suffices to drive them back to their burrows. 



Skunks, particularly when young, make very pretty pets, being 

 attractive in appearance, gentle in disposition, interesting in manners, 

 and cleanly in habits rare qualities indeed ! They are playful, some- 

 times mischievous, and manifest considerable affection for those who 

 have the care of them. I have had, at different times, ten live 

 Skunks in confinement. They were all quite young, measuring from 

 100 to i5o mm. (approximately 4 to 7 in.) only, in length, when first 

 taken. Some were dug out of their holes, and the rest caught in 

 box traps. Two were so young that they could walk but a few steps 

 at a time, and had to be brought up on milk, being fed with a spoon. 

 The others ate meat and insects from the start. From some of them 

 I removed the scent bags, but the greater number were left in a state 

 of nature. None ever emitted any odor, although a couple of them, 

 when half grown, used to assume a painfully suggestive attitude on 

 the too-near approach of strangers so suggestive, indeed, that their 

 visitors commonly beat a hasty retreat. These same Skunks, when 

 I came within reach, would climb up my legs and get into my arms. 

 They liked to be caressed, and never offered to bite. Others that I 

 have had did not show the aversion for strangers evinced by this 

 pair, and I believe the difference to be clue to the way in which they 

 are brought up. If accustomed to the presence of a number of peo- 

 ple they are familiar and friendly toward all; while if kept where they 

 habitually see but one or two persons they will not permit a stranger 

 to touch them. 



Two summers ago I was the happy master of the cleverest young 



Skunk that I have thus far chanced to meet. For a name he receiv- 

 6 



