INTRODUCING MR. AND MRS. SKUNK = 35 
When the innocent wood pussy paused after 
eight performances | felt assured that of course 
he must be out of eradicator. But he wasn’t. 
For years I avoided the skunk, the black and 
white plume-tailed aristocrat. This generally was 
not difficult; he likes privacy and surrounds him- 
self with an exclusive, discouraging atmosphere. 
After a number of chance trial meetings with 
skunks I found that they were interesting and 
dependable. From them one knows just what to 
expect. The skunk attends to his own affairs and 
discourages familiarity and injustice. He is in- 
dependent, allows no one to pat him on the back, 
and no pup to chase him. He is no respecter of 
persons nor of robes. 
For years, I think, the skunk families near 
my cabin considered me a good neighbour. One 
mated pair lived near me for three years. 
These gave me good glimpses of skunk life. 
Their clothes were ever clean and bright; often 
in front of the den I stood near while they pol- 
ished their shining black and white fur. A few 
times I saw the old ones carry grasshoppers and 
mice into the den for the waiting little ones. 
A few times I saw the entire family start afield 
—off for a hunt or for fun. 
The last time I saw this pair before the old 
spruce blew over and ruined their den, both 
mother and father were out playing with the 
