Teacher's Leaflet. 847 



(4). Is the fur of the skunk valuable and what is it called commercially? 



(5). Are the front legs longer or shorter than the hind legs? 



(6). Describe the front feet; for what are they used? 



(7). Where does the skunk live? 



(8). Does it sleep during the winter? 



(9). At what time do the skunk kittens appear? 



(10). How is the nest for the young made soft? 



(11). How is the nest kept clean? 



Fads for the Teacher. — A full-grown skunk is about two feet long; its body is 

 covered with long hair and the tail is very large and bushy; in color it is sometimes 

 entirely black but most often has a white patch on the back of the neck with two 

 stripes extending down the back and along the sides of the tail. There is also a 

 white stripe down the forehead. Often the two white stripes along the back unite, 

 making one broad white stripe. The skunk belongs to the same group as the minks 

 and weasels, which also give off a disagreeable odor when angry. The skunk has a 

 long head and a rather pointed snout. Its front legs are much shorter than its 

 hind legs which gives it a very peculiar gait. Its fore feet are armed with long, 

 strong claws. It digs its burrow usually in light soil, although in New York State 

 it often finds its home in some crevice in rocks or even takes possession of aban- 

 doned woodchucks' holes. The skunk becomes very fat in the fall and during the 

 early part of the winter retires to its den and hibernates but comes out during the 

 thaws of winter and March. The young skunks appear in May ; they are born in 

 an enlarged portion of the burrow where a nice bed of grass and leaves is made 

 for them. It is well to explain to the pupils that the skunk's own nest is kept very 

 clean, as it is naturally a most cleanly animal. 



Lesson LIV. 

 the habits of the skunk. 



Purpose. — To make the pupils acquainted with the habits of the skunk 

 and to gain some idea of its value to the farmer. 



Observations: 



(i). Does the skunk ever hurry? Is it afraid? 



(2). What are its enemies and how does it escape them? 



(3). When does it go hunting for its own food? 



(4). How does the coloring of the skunk protect it in the night? 



(5). Is the skunk an intelligent animal, like the fox? 



(6). Do you think that the skunk's freedom from fear has prevented it 

 from developing intelligence? 



(7). What is its food? 



(8). How does it catch its prey? 



(9). How does it benefit farmers? 



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