TITR COMMON OR KAi^TKliN SKUNK. 



571 



spots (the star skunk of fur dealers). Some individuals are entirely 

 black on the head and body, but I have never seen any in which 

 the white tip of the tail was lacking. Size smaller and tail longer 

 than the next species. 



Measurements. — Howell gives the average of six males from 

 New York as follows: Total length, 575 mm. (23 in.) ; tail, 229 

 mm. (9 in.) ; hind foot, 60 mm. (2% in.). The females are larger 

 and six from the same locality average : Total length, 603 mm. ; 

 tail, 223 mm. ; hind foot, 62 mm. 



Skull and teeth. — The skulls of the skunks, like all other mem- 

 bers of the family, are very compactl}^ built. Most of the bones be- 

 come fused at an early age and they are thick and strong. The 

 skull of this particular species (PL VI, figs 1 and 2) is broad across 

 the zygomatic arches and the small posterior process in the middle 

 of the palate is peculiar to it. However, this spine is reduced or 

 wanting in the females. 



Raiige.—From Virginia to southern New England and west to 

 Indiana. In this State, according to Howell, its range meets that 

 of the next species, but the two do not intergrade. I am unable 

 to give the limits of distribution for the two forms, the only record 

 for the Illinois skunk being that of Howell from Benton County. 

 The present species appears to be the one occurring throughout 

 most of the State. 



The opinion of most of my correspondents seems to be that 

 skunks are growing scarce. However, I feel quite sure that these 

 animals are as abundant or more abundant about my boyhood home 

 in Ohio County than they were twenty years ago. Evermann and 

 Butler state that they were still abundant in Franklin County in 

 1893. I do not think that they have been completely exterminated 

 in any county of the State. 



Habits. — Last summer, while setting traps for field mice in an 

 old pasture, I noticed a great many small, conical holes going down 

 through the grass and into the hard ground for an inch or two. 

 It w^as evident that some animal had been searching for grubs and 

 insects there. I was uncertain at first as to what sort of animal 

 had been doing the work, but one evening about sun-down I saw a 

 large skunk come out of a sinkhole and begin nosing around in the 

 grass. 



I watched it for some time, going up to within eight or ten 

 yards of it (I feared to go nearer). It went about, watching me 

 over its shoulder and appearing uneasy because of my presence, 

 but not running away. It would thrust its nose down through the 



