140 CAENIVORA. 



prolific, bringing forth eight or ten young. It is more 

 gregarious than most creatures of the Weasel kind 

 (Mustelidse), more than one family congregating in one 

 burrow. It eats worms, insects, birds' eggs, frogs, and 

 mice, and sometimes rabbits, as also roots and berries ; 

 it occasionally robs the poultry-yard, and is said to be 

 fond of milk. It falls a prey to dogs and the Great 

 Horned Owl. Its bite sometimes produces hydro- 

 phobia ; it can be readily semi-domesticated like a Ferret, 

 and it is said sometimes to have had its anal glands 

 successfully removed." 



The flesh of the Skunk is often eaten by the Indians, 

 and is even said by Americans to be good eating, 

 white, tender, and sweet like chicken, as Dr. Merriam 

 describes it ; but by other authorities it is considered 

 unpalatable, and not to be recommended. 



CIVET CAT, OK LITTLE STRIPED SKUNK. 

 jSIcphitis pi(torii(S. 



This animal is not so large as the foregoing, being 

 only 6 to 8 inches long, without the tail, which is nearly 

 as long as the body. Its range is not so extensive as 

 the Skunk's. It is not found in the Dominion of 

 Canada, and only in some of the central and southern 

 states of the North American Eepublic. The largest 

 skins are collected in the more northern districts, and 

 the smallest, coarsest, and most fatty in the southern. 



The colour is black, marked with white square-like 

 patterns, a shape almost unique in nature. The mark- 

 ings of any two animals are never alike. The tail is black. 



