248 Handbook of Nature-Study 



wisdom from experience ; it never learns to avoid a trap or a railway 

 or trolley track. 



The skunk's food consists largely of insects, mice, snakes and other 

 small animals. It also destroys the eggs and young of birds which 

 nest upon the ground. It uses its strong forepaws in securing its 

 prey. Dr. Merriam, who made pets of young skunks after removing 

 their scent capsules, found them very interesting. He says of one 

 which was named "Meph": "We used to walk through the woods 

 to a large meadow that abounded in grasshoppers. Here, Meph would 

 fairly revel in his favorite food, and it was rich sport to watch his 

 manoeuvres. When a grasshopper jumped, he jumped, and I have seen 

 him with as many as three in his mouth and two under his fore-paws at 

 the same time." 



The only injury which the skunk is likely to do to the farmers, is the 

 raiding of the hens' nests, and this can be obviated by properly housing 

 the poultry. On the other hand, the skunk is of great use in destroying 

 injurious insects and mice. Often when skunks burrow beneath bams, 

 they completely rid the place of mice. Skunk fur is very valuable and is 

 sold under the name of Alaskan sable. The skunk takes short steps, and 

 goes so slowly that it makes a double track, the imprints being very close 

 together. The foot makes a longer track than that of the cat, as the 

 skunk is plantigrade; that is, it walks upon its palms and heels as well as 

 its toes. 



Skunk tracks. 



References — Wild Neighbors, Ingersoll; Familiar Life in Field and 

 Forest, Mathews; American Animals, Stone and Cram; Squirrels and 

 Other Fur Bearers, Burroughs. 



LESSON LX 

 The Skunk 



Leading thought — The skunk has depended so long upon protecting 

 itself from its enemies by its disagreeable odor, that it has become stupid 

 in this respect, and seems never to be able to learn to keep off of railroad 

 tracks. It is a very beneficial animal to the farmer because its food con- 

 sists so largely of injurious insects and rodents. 



Method — The questions should be given the pupils and they should 

 answer them from personal observations or inquiries. 



Observations — i. How large is a skunk? Describe its fur. Where 

 does the black and white occur in the fur? Of what use is the white to 

 the skunk ? Is the fur valuable ? What is its commercial name ? 



2. What is the shape of the skunk's head? The general shape of the 

 body? The tail? Are the front legs longer or shorter than the hind legs? 

 Describe the front feet. For what are they used? 



3. Where and how does the skunk make its nest? Does it sleep like 

 a woodchuck during the winter? What is its food? How does it catch 

 its prey? Does it hunt for its food during the day or the night? Does 



