OR, MANUAI< OF THE APIARY. Sll 



tailed shrew — Blarina brevicauda, Gray — which was taken in 

 the hives by Mr. Little, of Illinois. 



SKUNKS. ' 



Skunks sometimes annoy bee-keepers. They disturb the 

 bees at nig-htfall, and as the bees come out of the hive they 

 g-ulp them down. Of course, they can be poisoned or trapped. 

 But as insect-destroyers they do great good, and I doubt if we 

 can ever afiford to kill the skunks. The small, striped skunk 

 in Southern California depredates on our poultry. Yet I would 

 use wire-netting and keep them out of the poultry-house, and 

 not kill them. 



