42 The Skunk 



numerous holes about the hills. These indicate 

 the industry of the nocturnal visitor. 



Young skunks are very interesting, and those I 

 have seen had the habit of stamping the fore feet 

 either while playing among themselves or when ex- 

 cited by a person, continually threatening to spray 

 the subject of ' their irritation. By a simple surgical 

 operation the muscles which control the scent-bags 

 may be cut, thus removing all danger, although the 

 animal will assume the threatening attitude as 

 before. 



If the young are captured while small and con- 

 stantly handled and petted, they will show a con- 

 siderable degree of affection and at times are very 

 playful. Dr. C. Hart Merriam tells the following 

 story about one of his pet skunks, "Meph": "His 

 nest was in a box at the foot of the stairs, and before 

 he grew strong enough to climb out by himself, he 

 would, whenever he heard me coming, stand on his 

 hind legs with his paws resting on the edge of the 

 box and beg to be carried up-stairs. If I passed 

 by without appearing to notice him, he invariably 

 became much enraged and chippered away at a 

 great rate, stamping meanwhile most vigorously. 

 During the evening he occasionally assumed a cun- 

 ning mood, and would steal softly up to my chair. 



