COMMON AMERICAN SKUNK. 325 



On dissecting a specimen which we obtained from the middle districts 

 of Carolina, we ascertained that the animal had been a more successful 

 collector of entomological specimens than ourselves, as he had evidently- 

 devoured on the night previous a greater number (about a dozen) of a 

 very rare and large beetle, {Scarabceus tilyus,) than we had been able to 

 find in a search of ten years. 



The Skunk being very prolific, would, if allowed to multiply around 

 the farm-yard, prove a great and growing annoyance. Fortunately there 

 are nocturnal animals that are prowling about as ^vell as he. The dog, 

 although he does not eat this species, scarcely ever fails to destroy a 

 Skunk whenever he can lay hold of him. A wolf that had been sent 

 from the interior of Carolina to Charleston, to be prepared as a specimen, 

 we observed was strongly tainted with the smell of this animal, and we 

 concluded from hence, that as a hungry wolf is not likely to be very 

 choice in selecting his food, he will, if nothing better offers, make a meal 

 on it. Whilst riding along the border of a field one evening, we observed 

 a large bird of some species darting to the ground, and immediately 

 heard a struggle, and were saluted by the odour from the "Enfant du 

 diable," as old Charlevoix has designated the Skunk. We visited the 

 spot on the following day, and found a very large animal of this species 

 partly devoured. We placed a fox-lrap in the vicinity, and on the fol- 

 lowing morning found our trap had captured a large horned owl, 

 which had evidently caused the death of the Skunk, as in point of offen- 

 sive effluvia there was no choice between them ; this species is gene- 

 rally very easily taken in traps. It will not avoid any kind of snare — is 

 willing to take the bait, whether it be flesh, fish, or fowl, and proves a 

 great annoyance to the hunters whose traps are set for the fisher and 

 marten. The burrows of the Skunk are far less difficult to dig out than 

 those of the fox. They are generally found on a flat surface, whilst the 

 dens of the fox are more frequently dug on the side of a hill. They 

 have seldom more than one entrance, whilst those of the fox have two, 

 and often three. The gallery of the burro^v dug by the Skunk runs 

 much nearer the surface than that excavated by the fox. After extend- 

 ing seven or eight feet in a straight line, about two feet beneath the sur- 

 face, there is a large excavation containing an immense nest of leaves. 

 Here during winter may be found lying, from five to fifteen individuals of 

 this species. There are sometimes one or two galleries diverging from 

 this bed, running five or six feet further ; in which, if the burrow has 

 been disturbed, the whole family may generally be found, ready to em^ 

 ploy the only means of defence with which Nature has provided them. 



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