Skunk 



Whenever the frost has left the soil sufficiently, they dig out 

 narrow pits as deep as they are able to reach with their fore- 

 paws, the long claws of which enable them to rake out the 

 soil with great rapidity. These little excavations, each with its 

 accompanying pile of dirt, are to be seen anywhere during the 

 warm months in regions where skunks abound. 



They are undoubtedly made in search of insects, but just 

 what particular kind are oftenest obtained in this way I have 

 never been able to discover. 



With the increasing warmth of the season, bugs of all kinds 

 begin to crawl out of their hiding places on all sides to breed 

 and multiply, and these, with mice and reptiles, serve to keep the 

 skunks in food until the nesting season of birds comes on. But 

 it is probably short rations at best, and with characteristic bold- 

 ness and indifference they visit barns and farm buildings, where 

 they generally do more good than harm, living largely on mice 

 and rats and whatever meat is to be picked up about the 

 ground. Still, when temptation offers in the shape of fowls 

 roosting within reach, the old weasel instinct is likely to be 

 aroused, and the skunk proves his ability as a hunter of big 

 game. 



In May food begins to be fairly abundant and easily pro- 

 cured, such as birds' nests and new families of mice, and the 

 steadily increasing supply of bugs and reptiles. 



It is at this time that the little skunks are led forth by their 

 parent to receive instructions in the necessary art of getting a 

 living. They present a most attractive and not by any means 

 uncommon spectacle on warm, still evenings in early summer ; 

 the old one moving leisurely along, with half a dozen youngsters 

 in her train like Indians on the war-path. 



The black and white of the young ones is even more 

 sharply contrasted than that of their parents, as if new and un- 

 worn by use, the short fur lying smooth and even without 

 mixing where the opposing colours come together. 



With each recurring evening the devoted little band starts 

 out on its nightly hunt, chasing dor-bugs and other night fly- 

 ing beetles, blundering along in the darkness. In the utter black- 

 ness which exists beneath the undergrowth in the forest they go 

 searching for the nests of thrushes and ground-building warblers 

 and partridges. 



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