THE SKUNK 



balance of nature, and the resulting deficit has 

 finally to be met with the pocketbook by paying 

 for artificial substitutes for nature, which if left 

 alone would do the work much better. 



In the summer woods it is not so much the 

 skunk's tracks which tell of his presence and 

 merits, as the numerous small holes in the ground, 

 about a couple of inches deep, from which the 

 animal procures the larvae there awaiting the final 

 stage of development. 



The soles of the skunk's feet are similar to 

 those of the badger, while their size about cor- 

 responds with that of the domestic cat; the 

 toe-nails always show conspicuously under fair 

 tracking conditions. 



The individual tracks stand about half as far 

 apart as do those of the domestic cat, and are 

 always considerably out of line. Like the other 

 members of this group, the skunk betrays himself 

 by his trail; he is a slow animal, and presumably 

 would not put on speed if he were capable of it, 

 since, when foraging he is never in a hurry, and 

 if molested it is usually the disturber who prefers 

 to employ speed. 



194 



