333 



like creature — a member of the Weasel group — which 

 inhabits the tern iterate zone of Europe and Asia. The 

 common domesticated Ferret, so frequently employed 

 to hunt Rabbits and Rats, is, it is believed, a descen- 

 dant of the Polecat of the Old World. Some furriers 

 sell Skunks — those lacking the white stripes on backs 

 — under the name "Alaska Sable," and many ladies 

 wear tliese pelts and never know they once covered 

 the backs of vile-smelling and insect-devouring ani- 

 mals of the genus Mephitis. 



SOME OF ITS ENEMIES. 



This well-known quadruped, it matters but little 

 whetlier called Canadijin Skunk, Carolinian Skunk, 

 Polecat or "Alaska Sable," has numerous enemies to 

 contend with, notwithstanding the wise provisio-n 

 nature has made to enable it to prevent their near and 

 dangerous approach. The Skunk has great confidence 

 in its battery and is often enabled, when acting on the 

 defensive, or, if aroused by either anger or fright, to 

 protect its life from preying animals, by discharging 

 from the anal glands a yellowish fluid of most pene- 

 trating and .sickening odor. This, however, is not 

 always the case, and the slow-moving Skunk often be- 

 comes a victim of its own temerity inspired, doubtless, 

 by too much coiifidenr-o in the repelling powers of the 

 contents of its perfume reservoirs. 



Among carnivorous mammals, the Wildcat, Red 

 Fox, Mink and Weasel will attack and kill Skunks. 

 Large Hawks, particularly the Red-tailed species and 

 the powerful Goshawk, also capture them. The Snowy 

 Owl, when pressed by hunger, will, it is stated, some 

 times make a meal on a Skunk which happens to cross 

 its path; and the Great Horned Owl often attacks 



