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 

 Skunk . .'...* 



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 



\ 





/ 







* 



i 



THE WEASEL GROUP 



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

 York City. The others at 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 

 Mink and ^ wease j t ] K , ]. ltUT m i )otn lts suninuT dress of dull 



TITpo c p 1 



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

 in place of ermine. 



