DISTRIBUTION AND HABITS OF THE SKUNK. 219 



mals are evidently more gregarious than other Mustelidw, and 

 the numbers which congregate in one burrow are not neces- 

 sarily members of the same family. They are very prolific, 

 bringing forth in May, it is said, to the number of eight or ten ; 

 the period of gestation is probably unknown. Their natural 

 increase is at so high a rate that were they not systematically 

 persecuted, not only for the value of their furs, but on account 

 of their peculiar offeusiveness, they would become a serious 

 pest. The reaction of their principal moans of self-preservation, 

 in fact, becomes one of the factors in the problem of their undue 

 increase, so nicely are the balances of Xature adjusted. 



Skunks are attacked by dogs and othercaniiie quadrupeds, who 

 destroy and devour them in spite of tbeir scent ; and some of the 

 larger birds of prey, like the Bubo virglnianuSj or Great Horned 

 Owl, have been observed to capture and eat them. Their own food 

 is of rather an humble nature in comparison with that of other 

 Mustelidcc of corresponding size and strength; for they have 

 neither the speed nor the address required to eft'ect the destruc- 

 tion of many animals which the Martens and Weasels, for 

 instance, prey upon. They feed largely upon insects, birds' 

 eggs, such small reptiles as frogs, and small quadrupeds, such 

 as the various species of mice. They are also said to capture 

 rabbits in the burrows into which these timorous beasts some- 

 times take refuge, though they are manifestly incapable of 

 securing these swift-footed animals in the chase. The depre- 

 dations committed by the Skunk in the poultry-house have been 

 already alluded to. I recur to the fact to note the way these 

 awkward animals conduct themselves under such circum- 

 stances, when their blundering pertinacity and apparent neglect 

 of the most obvious precautions against detection contrast 

 strongly with the stealth, cunning, and sagacity of the Fox, 

 Mink, or Stoat when engaged in similar freebooting. Even 

 after discovery, the Skunk seems to forget the propriety of 

 making off, and generally falls a victim to his lack of wit. 



I once tested the speed of a Skunk in a fair race over open 

 X)rairie. The wind was blowing "half a gale" at my back, and 

 my courage was consequently unchallenged. The animal 

 seemed to be aware of its powerlessness under these circum- 

 stances, and, after once or twice vainly discharging its battery, as 

 I saw by its peculiar motions, though the wind carried off the 

 effluvium, made off at its best pace. But I had no difficulty in 

 keeping up with it at an easy jog-trot, scarcely f\ister than rapid 



