Hudsonian Skunk 



975 



midsummer they begin to follow their mother abroad like a 

 litter of little pigs after the old sow. They are such a pretty 

 playful lot and she such a loving and assiduous guardian that 

 the group realizes the ideal of family life, excepting perhaps in 

 one particular — the father is not present. After many in- 

 quiries among hunters and naturalists I am forced to believe 



cighed only 3 lbs., yet 



Fig. 228 — Mastology of Skxmk. 



Illustrated by specimen of Af. putida. Cos Cob, Conn., May 12, 1908. 



3 lbs., yet contained 6 young near birth. The aggregate weight of the young was about 3 t 



that the mother alone is active in caring for the brood, at least 

 when they are very small. 



Their growth is rapid. In Ontario, I once found the 

 young {putida) one-third grown and travelling abroad on 

 June 21, and the other two-thirds grown by the first week 

 of July. 



Soon after this the group is increased, it would seem, by 

 the return of the father, for I have several times seen a 

 large male Skunk travelling with them, in the fall, and am 

 inclined to think that he returns to his family as soon as the 

 mother gives him permission. Now the reunited party wan- 

 der about their own range, not caring in the least whether or 

 not they reach home at bedtime, which is dawn. 



