36 The Skunk 



smelling about on the ground, occasionally pawing 

 among the dried leaves. He gradually ascended the 

 hill, but remained under cover of the bushes. When 

 the skunk was about fifteen feet from his burrow I 

 rattled a dry bush, but otherwise remained quiet and 

 motionless, whereupon he turned and stamped the 

 ground with his fore feet. In a moment he con- 

 tinued on his way, and again I moved the bush and 

 stepped forward a pace. The skunk turned and 

 came directly toward me, and I thought he was going 

 to enter the burrow, but as he did not, I immediately 

 sought the meadow beyond. He followed me into the 

 clearing, twice uttering a little grunt, and as many 

 times threatening to spray me with his essence. He 

 soon gave up the chase, however, returning to the 

 bushes, where he was gradually lost to sight in the 

 coming darkness. 



The den of the skunk is usually a deserted wood- 

 chuck burrow, but occasionally in the summer-time 

 he uses a hollow log or crevice in the rock. It is not to 

 be inferred, however, that he is lacking in ability to 

 dig a burrow; quite the reverse. He can dig rapidly 

 in the solid soil, and in newly ploughed fields will 

 worm himself through the loose earth like a mole. 

 At times the rapidity with which he conceals himself 

 in this way is most surprising, and probably by this 



