KNIGHT] DE SACHET, A PET SKUNK 95 



the buzzing bees usually struck first. The buzz of a bee in the 

 tangle of fur called his immediate attention and the rapidity and 

 swiftness with which paws and teeth responded to the rescue was 

 amazing. At times he would drop over on one side that the bee 

 might try to alight on a spot where the paws could be more easily 

 brought into play. After the nest was well cleared out the return- 

 ing stragglers were caught one by one, being snapped up quickly 

 as they would alight to sting. The animal's head was always 

 turned toward the sound and many bees appeared to Hght on 

 his nose only to be met by a lightning snap of teeth. The skunk's 

 eyesight is very poor, at least in the day time, and thus the animal 

 depends largely on smell and sound for seizing insects. From 

 this first nest De Sachet was seen to eat no less than 27 bees. 

 He appeared to get stung twice, once on the jaw and again on the 

 shoulder, which was not bad considering it was his first experience 

 with bimiblebees. At a later date he was given opportunity 

 to attack a very large nest where he caught and ate no less than 

 48 bees before his appetite failed, and this time without being 

 stung once. He refused to go near the bees once his hunger was 

 appeased. 



Grasshoppers were eaten with avidity and appeared to be a 

 favorite food. He appeared never to see insects but would pounce 

 upon them with lightning speed once they were located by smell. 

 He also would eat quantities of a most common millipede usually 

 found beneath leaves in damp places and occasionally in potato 

 fields. Because of his tendency to grab things quickly one had to 

 be careful in allowing him to take food from the hand. This was 

 especially true of insect food. On two occasions De Sachet 

 was soundly boxed for grabbing a finger in place of some meat held 

 out for him. A day later he made the same mistake, and realizing 

 this he turned away with a whining whistle, at the same time 

 backing up tow^ard me apparently expecting to be punished. It 

 was so comical I did not have the heart to touch him. 



The skunk has a quick temper and may be fierce in the face 

 of an enemy or when sufficiently hungry. When De Sachet 

 could smell meat which was withheld it was not safe to stroke 

 him. He was all business then and gave vent to his impatience 

 in anger. If he were allowed to seize a large piece of meat while 

 one held him firm he gave forth a peculiar whistling sound com- 

 bined with snorting and blowing, which was undoubtedly meant 



