NORTH AMERICA \ MAMMALS 



69 



Skunk 



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 



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, wood- 

 chuck, rabbits and squirrels. The list includes some "fur-bearing" species; weasel fur is often used 

 instead of ermine. 



fluid to a considerable distance. Its skin makes a valuable fur known as 

 "Alaskan sable." 



Two other fur-bearing animals shown are the mink and 

 the 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. 



Another fur-bearing animal showii is the muskrat. In the group are 

 seen its summer home, usually a burrow in the bank of a 

 stream or pond, and its \vinter mound, constructed of 



Mink and 

 Weasel 



Muskrat 



