THE POLECAT 91 



was only after the odor had finally disap- 

 peared from his presence that he was again 

 received as a member of the family. Thus 

 was another family added to those who, hav- 

 ing had an intimate introduction to her means 

 of defense, have acquired a life-long prejudice 

 against the skunk. 



One summer Mother Polecat brought forth 

 her young in a roll of tin in the shed. She 

 made little preparation in the way of a nest- 

 simply a bed of chaff with some odds and ends 

 of cotton material that chanced to be near. 

 Mice and insects were plentiful, and ungath- 

 ered eggs occasionally offered a special treat 

 for the polecat family. There was no annoy- 

 ance by dogs or other unfriendly animals, so 

 that the summer was one grand holiday for 

 Mother Polecat and her brood, until it became 

 necessary for the Naturalist to move the roll 

 of tin in which they lived. He talked the 

 matter over with the boys, and it was decided 

 to pose the youngsters for a picture and then 

 turn the family out to hunt for a new home. 

 The boys decided that a young polecat would 

 make a fine pet, and the little creatures were 

 cunning indeed. However, the Naturalist 

 persuaded them not to break family ties, and 



