THE AMERICAN SKUNK. 



THIS little animal is distinctively 

 American, the one figured being 

 found onl}- in North America. 

 It has a beautiful jet-black fur, varied 

 with a larger or smaller amount of 

 white forming a stripe on each side 

 of its body and head, and more or less 

 of its tail. In some cases the white 

 is reduced to a small " star " at the top 

 of the head, and without doubt some 

 specimens are entirely black, while 

 occasionally a white specimen may be 

 seen. 



The fur of the Black Skunk is con- 

 sidered the best, and brings the highest 

 price which decreases as the amount of 

 white increases, the white ones being 

 almost valueless. A slight unpleasant 

 odor clings about the manufactured fur, 

 which detracts much from its commer- 

 cial value, although some dealers claim 

 that this is never noticed when it is sold 

 as "Alaska sable." 



Another common name for the Skunk 

 is Polecat. Though found in the woods, 

 they prefer to inhabit grassy or bushy 

 plains. During the day they lie sleeping 

 in hollow trees or stumps, in clefts of 

 rocks, or in caverns, which they dig for 

 themselves; at night they rouse them- 

 selves and eagerly seek for prey. 

 Worms, insects, birds, and small ani- 

 mals, roots and berries constitute their 

 food. 



The range of the Skunk is quite ex- 

 tensive, the animal being most plenti- 

 ful near Hudson Bay, whence it is dis- 

 tributed southward. 



It is slow in its movements, can 

 neither jump nor climb, but only walk 

 or hop. Knowing how formidable is 

 its weapon of protection, it is neither 

 shy nor cowardly. 



The Skunk is a much respected ani- 

 mal, both man and beast preferring to 



go around him rather than over him, 

 and man)' amusing anecdotes are related 

 by hunters and naturalists, which lead 

 us to believe that he does not always 

 come out second best in an encounter. 

 When in search of food he is so bold 

 that he can be approached without dif- 

 ficulty, and he wears a look of inno- 

 cence that effectually deceives the 

 uninitiated, and brings about very un- 

 expected results. 



Hensel says that when it is pursued 

 by dogs it lays its tail along its back like 

 a sitting Squirrel, turns its hinder quar- 

 ters towards the dogs and performs 

 queer, angry, hopping antics, such as 

 one sometimes sees in the cages of 

 Bears. The attacked animal never 

 wastes its secretion by unnecessary 

 haste, but continues to threaten as long 

 as the dogs are a few yards distant 

 from it. 



"Skunk Farming" cannot be said to 

 be a growing industry, but there are a 

 number of such " farms" in the north- 

 ern and eastern states which are said 

 to pay fairly well. A small plat of 

 land is enclosed by a high board fence; 

 stakes are driven into the ground close 

 together under the fence so that the 

 animals cannot burrow out. Small 

 shelters are built in, some hay thrown 

 in for nests, and the farm is ready for 

 the skunks. 



Skunks get very tame in captivity 

 and tolerably well accustomed to 

 their keeper, though great care is re- 

 quired not to irritate them. Hay is 

 their favorite bed, on which they curl 

 up like a ball. After eating, they wipe 

 their snouts with their forepaws, being 

 very cleanly, and they always keep 

 their fur dainty and dressed. The fur 

 is not very fine or soft, but it is valu- 

 able and in considerable demand. 



