46 SECOND FLOOR, SOUTHEAST WING 



The common skunk is a very useful although greatly abused animal. 



While it occasionally destroys poultry and other birds, its 



principal food consists of injurious insects and field mice. 



Its defensive weapon is an excessively fetid fluid secreted by a pair of glands 



situated near the base of the tail. It has the ability to eject this fluid to a 







w 



4 , 



THE WEASEL GROUP 



One of the groups representing the small mammals found within fifty miles of New- 

 York City. The others of the series show opossum, raccoon, red and gray foxes, skunk, 

 mink, muskrat, woodchuck, rabbits and squirrels. The list includes some "fur-bearing" 

 species; weasel fur is often used instead of ermine. 



considerable distance. Its skin makes a valuable fur known as "Alaskan 

 sable." 



Two other fur-bearing animals shown are the mink and 

 in an ^ weasel, the latter in both its summer dress of dull 



brown and its winter coat of white. Weasel fur is often used 

 in place of ermine. 



