The Skunk 39 



Skunks are more easily trapped than most animals 

 and the generation of to-day seems to be no wiser in 

 the matter of snares than they were in the days of 

 our forefathers. 



The trail of the skunk is sharply defined and con- 

 sists of what appears to be two single trails close to 

 each other, something like this, oooooooooo 



oooooooooo 



The reason for this apparent double trail is found in 

 the fact that the legs of the skunk are so short that 

 they cannot meet under the centre of the body. This 

 also accounts for the rolling sailor gait of the 

 animal. The skunk seems always to be on his "sea- 

 legs." 



The skunk lives upon animal food, and in his search 

 for it he brings upon his head the wrath of many 

 a farmer. When a wood-pussy takes up his abode 

 under the barn there is sure to be trouble among 

 the fowls, unless they roost high, the greatest loss 

 being liable to occur among the chickens. The 

 mother hen may have a dozen little ones tucked away 

 at night under protecting wings, and before morning 

 a skilful paw may remove half the number, or more, 

 leaving only the slightest traces of their unhappy 

 end. The location of the roosting-place must then 

 be changed, for Mr. Skunk will continue his nightly 



