666 



THE CARNIVORES 



more valuable quarry. The skunk, observes Dr. Merriam, is slow in movement 

 and deliberate in action, and does not often hurry himself in whatever he does. 

 His ordinary gait is a measured walk, but when pressed for time he breaks into a 

 slow, shuffling gallop. It is hard to intimidate a skunk, but when once really 

 frightened he manages to get over the ground at a very fair pace. 



The same writer further observes that in the Adirondack region skunks remain 

 active during the greater part of the year, and hibernate only during the severest 

 part of the winter. ' ' They differ from most of our hibernating Mammals in that 



THE WHITE-BACKED SKUNK. 

 (One-fourth natural size.) 



the inactive period is, apparently, dependent solely upon the temperature. That 

 the amount of snow has no influence upon their movements is evident from the fact 

 that they are frequently out, in numbers, when its average depth exceeds five feet 

 on the level. Neither can it be a difference in. food supply that affects them, for at 

 this season they subsist almost entirely upon mice and shrews, and I have repeatedly 

 noticed these little beasts scampering about on the crisp snow when the thermometer 

 indicated a temperature below 20 F." In the more southern districts of North 

 America, skunks doubtless remain active throughout the year, and the same is 

 probably the case with those inhabiting Central and South America. 



