SMALLER MAMMALS OF NORTH AMERICA 



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THE TRACKS OF A RUSTY iPOX SQUIRRElv AND FOX SQUIRRKE 



The exaggerated pads of the squirrel foot are a strong feature of this track. It is typ- 

 ical in the pairing of the fore feet, much more so than that of the gray squirrel. There is 

 never a tail mark in this track (see pages 547 and 561). 



As in the case of tlieir relatives, the common 

 skunks are omnivorous, but feed mainly upon 

 insects and rodents injurious to agriculture. 

 They are known to eat great quantities of 

 grasshoppers, besides crickets, cicadas, May 

 beetles, wasps, and larvse of many kinds. One 

 killed in New Mexico had its stomach crammed 

 with honey bees. Wherever possible they prey 

 upon small rodents, as mice, wood rats, and 

 small spermophiles. To these may be added 

 ground-nesting birds and their eggs, lizards, 

 turtle eggs, snakes, frogs, salamanders, fish, 

 crustaceans, and numerous small fruits. Now 

 and then they visit the farmers' chicken yards 

 with such disastrous consequences that in many 

 country districts the animals are killed at sight. 



It is pleasing to record that a more intelligent 

 view of their real value to farmers, through 



their destruction of farm pests, is rapidly gain- 

 ing ground, and they are now being protected 

 in many States. One of their worst traits is 

 their destructivencss to breeding game birds, 

 both upland species, and especially the water- 

 fowl. 



Skunks walk on the soles of their feet in- 

 stead of on their toes, as do so many mammals. 

 The common skunks are wholly terrestrial and 

 move with the deliberation of one without fear 

 of personal violence or of having his dignity 

 assailed. Long experience has taught them that 

 the right of way is theirs. As they amble 

 slowly along, the tail is carried slightly elevated, 

 and when the owner is suspicious of attack, it 

 is raised and the hairs hang drooping like a 

 great plume, conspicuous and unmistakable. If 

 the disturber still refuses to take the hint, a 



