218 NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID.E. 



seldom used by the hatters, aud never we thiuk by the furriers; 

 and from the disagreeable task of preparing the skin, it is not 

 considered an article of commerce" was wide of the mark, 

 unless it was penned before "Alaska sable" became fashion- 

 able. 



Like other animals of the present family — like most carni- 

 vores, in fact — the Skunk is somewhat nocturnal in habits, 

 chiefly prowling for food in the dark, though often abroad in 

 the daytime. In northern portions of its range, it hibernates 

 to some extent, but its torpidity is very incomplete ; it appears, 

 moreover, to be under some necessity of arousing itself, perhaps 

 for the periodical evacuation of its reservoirs. In the South, it 

 ranges freely at all seasons. In instances in which the animal 

 has taken up its abode for the winter about dwelling-houses, its 

 temporary activity, during warm spells of weather, is not likely 

 to be overlooked. This propensity to seek retreats in human 

 habitations is strikingly at variance with the disposition of other 

 Musteline quadrupeds, which instinctively shun man's abodes, 

 except when, in foraging for food, the poultry-yard tempts their 

 appetite and their courage. In travelling in some portions of 

 the West, it did seem as if I never could approach a ranch 

 without being aware of the visit, past or present, of some 

 prying Skunk ; and the outhouses I entered were almost invari- 

 ably scented. The Skunk is an occasional robber of poultry and 

 eggs, and is said to be fond of milk. When away from human 

 habitations, the retreats of the Skunk are underground burrows, 

 the hollows of decayed logs and stumps, the crevices among 

 rocks — in short, any natural shelter not away from the ground. 

 Audubon and Bachman describe the underground burrows 

 which the Skunk excavates for itself as less difficult to dig out 

 than those of the Fox, generally running near the surface of 

 flat ground for six or eight feet, and ending in a chamber lined 

 with leaves, where may be found during winter from five to 

 fifteen individuals huddled together. Sometimes, these authors 

 add, the burrow divides into two or three galleries. The ani- 



" The approach is sometimes resented at tirst, but the gradual arching of the 

 tail gives timely warning, and a careful retreat is necessary for a moment. 

 The second or third attempt is successful. The atiimal by that time recovers 

 from the alarm, and at most will merely sniff the air in your direction. 

 With this device I have destroyed many hundred during the past thirty 

 years, and do not recollect an instance where I bore any of the odor about 

 me, except I had inadvertently trod upon dirt that was defiled, aud now offer 

 it for the consideration of brother trappers." 



