Skunk 



The discovering of the partridge nest means a banquet for 

 the entire family two big eggs apiece at least, and perhaps the 

 unfortunate hen partridge herself to be divided among them; for 

 it is quite possible that a partridge, driven from her nest in the 

 night in trying to avoid the one that first started her, might fall 

 into the clutches of one of the others, especially if she tried to 

 draw off the enemy by pretending a broken wing. 



If birds' nests are not always to be had, there are families of 

 young rabbits in every thicket, helpless and practically unpro- 

 tected, for if the old rabbit were to attempt to act on the de- 

 fensive, which is hardly likely, she would simply be accepted by 

 the skunks as a welcome addition to the meal. There are also 

 the nests of the wood mice and shrews to be dug out from 

 beneath the old stumps and logs, and among the sodden leaves 

 and decaying wood in the damp hollows are abundant snails 

 and other crawling things to fill in any vacancy when better 

 things are not forthcoming. 



The skunk is one of the most likable little beasts in the 

 woods, being most intelligent and good natured, and without the 

 wildness of most of our native animals. Except on rare occa- 

 sions it is perfectly free from any unpleasant odour whatever, 

 and is at all times exceedingly neat and particular in its per- 

 sonal habits. It is easily tamed and makes a safe and amusing 

 pet. 



Varieties of Skunks 



Eastern Skunk. Mephitis putida (Cuv.). Description and range 



as above. (Illustrations facing p. 232.) j 



Canada Skunk. Mephitis mephitica (Shaw). Larger, with shorter 

 and more slender tail (equal to half the length of body), 

 pattern more constant, the white stripes varying little in 

 length or width. 



Range. Nova Scotia, Quebec and Ontario. 



Florida Skunk. Mephitis elongata (Bangs). Medium in size, tail 

 very long (longer than the body), white stripes very broad. 

 Range. Florida to North Carolina and Southern Mississippi. 

 Louisiana Skunk. Mephitis mesomelas (Licht). Size very small 



(14 inches long), tail very short, usually wholly black. 

 Range. Louisiana to Texas and Missouri. 

 Illinois Skunk. Mephitis mesomelas avia (Bangs). Similar to the 



last, but larger. 

 Range. Prairie region of Illinois, Indiana and Eastern Iowa. 



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