78 OUR BACKDOOR NEIGHBORS 



had known for some time that there were pole- 

 cats in the wood, but he had been too much oc- 

 cupied with other friendships to cultivate an 

 intimate acquaintance. As he followed the 

 tracks of the little skunk and noted how it had 

 stopped to sniff at a small hole in an old stump, 

 had scratched in the leaves beside a log, in 

 search of hibernating insects, and investigated 

 the hollow at the base of an old basswood, he 

 became very much interested. Here, indeed, 

 he felt that he had overlooked a most interest- 

 ing neighbor, and determined to know more 

 of his haunts and habits, even though years of 

 investigation were necessary. 



After having followed the tracks for some 

 distance the Naturalist noted evidence that the 

 Polecat had proceeded somewhat cautiously, 

 and, sure enough, just ahead was the snug form 

 lately occupied by a rabbit. In a thick bunch 

 of grass Bunny had hidden from the sight of 

 passers-by, and thought to rest himself in quiet. 

 The little skunk in passing had scented 

 Bunny's retreat, and advancing quietly from 

 behind had caught him by surprise. The 

 skunk is slow and rather awkward in its move- 

 ments at times, but when in the act of seizing 

 its prey moves with surprising quickness. 



