THE LIFE OF MAMMALS 
grade feet, account for that mincing gait characteristic of it. 
His fur is long, thick, and glossy black, variegated with pure 
white, and is in constant demand by fur buyers, so that the ani- 
mal is incessantly trapped in all parts of the country. The white 
runs in a narrow stripe up the nose, expands behind the ears 
into a saddlelike patch on the nape of the neck, then narrows 
backward over the shoulder, and there divides, a stripe curving 
backward and downward on each side, leaving an intensely 
black, wedge-shaped tract between them, continued over the 
upper surface of the bushy tail; the under surface and tip of 
the tail are white. This description will apply in a general 
way to any of the nine species which a recent monograph'® 
of the genus Mephitis (or Chincha) enumerates in North Amer- 
ica; and all the species are extremely variable. 
The skunk is probably as numerous in most localities as ever 
it was, since its food resources are increased rather than dimin- 
ished by rural civilization, while its natural enemies are re- 
duced. Of mankind it seems perfectly fearless, and when one 
is met in the road (usually toward evening, when it begins its 
nightly wanderings) it keeps steadily on its course and the man, 
if he is wise, does not dispute as to right of way. It habitually 
digs a deep burrow for a home, but may take possession of a 
woodchuck’s hole, a cave, hollow stump, or stone wall, and often 
seeks a lodging beneath a house or barn, making its presence 
known sooner or later during the winter by a stench that com- 
pels the landlord to evict the intruder straightway. 
An annual litter of six to ten ‘‘kittens” is produced; and 
these young skunks, when taken early, have been tamed and 
enjoyed by many persons, notwithstanding, as Godman puts 
it, that “‘such a pet requires very cautious management.” No 
one has had so much experience, or has so well recorded it, 
in this direction, as Dr. Merriam, who declares that as pets 
skunks are attractive in appearance, gentle, cleanly, playful, 
and sometimes really affectionate. 
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