344 Fretp Museum or Natura History — Zodzoey, Vo. XI. 
of hydrophobia from the bite of a Skunk have been reported, however, 
where persons have been bitten with fatal results.* The flesh of young 
Skunks is very good, as I can testify from personal experience. Dr. 
Merriam says it ‘‘ is delicious eating. It is not unlike chicken, but is 
more delicate and its taste is particularly agreeable” (J. c., p. 76). 
Enormous numbers of Skunks are annually trapped and their skins 
sold for furs which in many cases are offered for sale as ‘‘ Alaska Sable.” 
Mephitis mephitis avia (Bancs). 
ILLINOIS SKUNK. 
Mephitis avia BANGs, Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash., XII, 1898, p. 32. 
Mephitis mesomelas avia HOLuisTER, Bull. Wis: Nat. Hist. Soc., VI, 1908, p. 141 
(Wisconsin). 
Type locality —San Jose, Mason Co., Illinois. 
Distribution — Illinois to southern Wisconsin, eastern Iowa, eastern 
Missouri and western Indiana; exact limits of range uncertain. 
Description — Somewhat smaller than hudsonica, pattern of coloration 
similar, but extent of white marking variable; in some specimens 
the white stripes end about the middle of the back, in others they 
continue to the tail; tail usually entirely black, but occasionally 
with white pencil; zygomata less widely expanded posteriorly than 
in hudsonica and with less abrupt bend than in hudsonica. May 
generally be distinguished from hudsonica by somewhat smaller 
size and shorter tail (tail vertebre usually less than 9 inches long), 
shape of zygomata, etc.; and from putida by absence of distinct 
median spine on the palate, no white pencil at end of tail, etc. 
Measurements — Total length (male), 25 to 27 in. (625 to 686 mm.); 
tail vertebra, 7 to 8.50 in. (175 to 215 mm.); hind foot, about 2.60 
in. (65 mm.). Total length (female), 23 to 25.50 in. (580 to 650 
mm.); tail vertebra, 6.25 to 7.25 in. (158 to 184 mm.); hind foot, 
about 2.50 (62 mm.). 
The Illinois Skunk is the common form which occurs throughout 
Illinois, and it has been recorded from southern Wisconsin; but the 
limits of its range in the latter state have not been satisfactorily deter- 
mined. Hollister records 3 specimens from Delavan, identified by 
Howell (/. c., p. 141), and I have examined a number of Wisconsin 
Skunks which might be referred to this form; but, as has already been 
stated{ the variation in markings and size of different individuals often 
_ * See Dr. J. S. Janeway, N. Y. Med. Rec., March, 1875; also Coues, Fur Bearing 
Animals, 1877, p. 229. 
t See ante, p. 330. 
