INTRODUCING MR. AND MRS. SKUNK 35 



When the innocent wood pussy paused after 

 eight performances I felt assured that of course 

 he must be out of eradicator. But he wasn't. 



For years I avoided the skunk, the black and 

 white plume-tailed aristocrat. This generally was 

 not difficult ; he likes privacy and surrounds him- 

 self with an exclusive, discouraging atmosphere. 



After a number of chance trial meetings with 

 skunks I found that they were interesting and 

 dependable. From them one knows just what to 

 expect. The skunk attends to his own affairs and 

 discourages familiarity and injustice. He is in- 

 dependent, allows no one to pat him on the back, 

 and no pup to chase him. He is no respecter of 

 persons nor of robes. 



For years, I think, the skunk families near 

 my cabin considered me a good neighbour. One 

 mated pair lived near me for three years. 

 These gave me good glimpses of skunk life. 

 Their clothes were ever clean and bright; often 

 in front of the den I stood near while they pol- 

 ished their shining black and white fur. A few 

 times I saw the old ones carry grasshoppers and 

 mice into the den for the waiting little ones. 

 A few times I saw the entire family start afield 

 off for a hunt or for fun. 



The last time I saw this pair before the old 

 spruce blew over and ruined their den, both 

 mother and father were out playing with the 



