86 OUR BACKDOOR NEIGHBORS 



stamp a front foot threateningly, arching the 

 back and throwing the tail forward above the 

 body. Sometimes one would climb a tree and 

 peek at him across a limb or around the body 

 at a height about on a level with his head. 



It was only when the Naturalist investigated 

 too closely, as when trying to take photo- 

 graphs, or urging them into some undesired 

 position, that they resented his presence in a 

 most annoying way. At such times copious 

 quantities of ammonia and a change of clothes 

 were necessary to make him again presentable 

 in polite society. 



During the day they usually remained 

 curled up in the nest, coming out at nightfall 

 to search for food. If there were half grown 

 young ones, Mother Skunk would peek out 

 cautiously to see if the coast was clear, shortly 

 to be followed by her interesting brood. On 

 the slightest alarm the whole family would 

 dash for cover. During the summer months 

 insects furnished the principal food, although 

 if the boys failed to gather the eggs, the pole- 

 cats would often dine from a hen's nest. (The 

 Naturalist for a long time kept this a dark 

 secret from his wife.) Next to grasshoppers, 

 moths, and beetles, mice seemed to furnish the 



