SOCIA- 

 BILITY 



VOICE, 

 ETC. 



972 Life-histories of Northern Animals 



mated drain of 4,000 adults per annum. This would pre- 

 suppose a population of not less than 10,000. Between 10,000 

 and 20,000, then, would be a fair estimate of the Skunks living 

 in Manitoba to-day. 



The species is said by many trappers to go occasionally in 

 droves of 6, 8, or 10. Kennicott cites^ a case where there were 

 15 together in a winter den. This is true, but these droves are 

 simply the family of the year. They stay together all fall and 

 winter, though now full grown, inhabiting one nest and seeking 

 food together. In this limited sense only is the Skunk sociable 

 and gregarious. 



It is a very silent animal, but it utters a low 'churring' or 

 scolding sometimes, when it is disturbed, without being much 

 excited, and I have heard one growl as it seized on a grass- 

 hopper. It sometimes expresses anger or defiance by stamping 

 with its front feet, and its loud sniffing at curious or strange 

 objects is an expression of interest fully comprehended by its 

 fellows. 



The monstrous bushy tail and the black-and-white pat- 

 tern are no doubt direction or recognition marks that are 

 well known to the live creatures of its region. Day or night, 

 they notify all the world: "I am a Skunk; no one can hurt me 

 with impunity." The wild folk do not fail to profit by this 

 blazonment of the fact, and thus, incidentally, the Skunk is 

 saved a deal of unprofitable exertion. 



Abbott H. Thayer, I learn, takes the contrary view. He 

 believes that the markings of the Skunk are intended to hide it 

 from its prey, by breaking up its breadth of black. 



In Manitoba, the mating season appears to be from the 

 first to the middle of March, and most of the hunters believe 

 that the species is strictly monogamous. Miles Spencer, of 

 Fort George, Hudson Bay, thinks' that the Skunk mates in 

 October, but I find no other supporter of this view. 



' Quad. 111., 1858, p. 249. ■* Low. E.\pl. James Bay., 1888, App. Ill, p. 77 J. 



