76 CARNIVORES. 
/ 
leisurely along at night, holding up his white tail as a danger-signal for none to 
come within range of his nauseous artillery.” And Dr. Merriam relates that so 
indifferent is the common skunk to the presence of man, that in many parts of the 
United States these creatures are not unfrequently run over in the evenings on the 
roads by passing vehicles. The peculiar and conspicuous coloration of the skunks 
is generally regarded by naturalists as belonging to the class of so-called “ warning 
colours.” Such warning colours would seem, observes Mr. Poulton, “to benefit the 
would-be enemies rather than the conspicuous forms themselves. ... But the 
conspicuous animal is greatly benefited by its warning colours. If it resembled its 



THE WHITE-BACKED SKUNK (+ nat. size). 
surroundings, like the members of the other class, it would be lable to a great 
deal of accidental or experimental tasting, and there would be nothing about it to 
impress the memory of an enemy, and thus to prevent the continual destruction 
of individuals. The object of warning colours is to assist the education of enemies, 
enabling them to easily learn and remember the animals which are to be avoided.” 
In the Adirondack region the chief food of the common skunk consists of mice, 
salamanders, frogs, and the eggs of birds that nest on or near the ground, while 
such hens’ nests as are met with are sure to be robbed, and an occasional raid is 
made on the poultry-yard. A large number of beetles, grasshoppers, and other 
insects are likewise consumed by these animals. 
