ECONOMIC VALUE OF NORTH AMERICAN SKUNKS. 



9 



surprising, but this happens far less frequently than might be expected. 

 It is a habit learned by very few individuals and not a characteristic 

 of skunks as a family. The writer visited a skunk yard in Ohio where 

 chicks about the size of quail were eating from the same pans with 

 the skunks. The owner stated that this occurred daily and that 

 the skunks had never molested the chicks. Much testimony could 

 be cited showing that skunks frequently feed with poultry in hen- 

 houses without molesting the fowls. Of course, the individual skunk 

 that learns to kill and eat chickens should be destroyed. 



SKUNKS AND GAME. 



Persons interested in the preservation of game often denounce the 

 skunk, asserting that it destroys pheasants, quail, grouse, and other 

 game; and sportsmen's clubs usually encourage the destruction of 

 skunks, classing them with foxes, minks, and weasels as enemies 

 of game. Sometimes side hunts are arranged for the destruction of 

 " vermin," and in some places bounties are paid for killing these 

 animals. So far as skunks are concerned, there is little evidence that 

 they often disturb game. 



The late Byron Andrews, of Erwin, S. Dak., informed the writer 

 that he once found a pinnated-grouse nest containing eggs about to 

 hatch less than 4 rods from a den which had long been in use by 

 skunks. Mr. Andrews argued that the skunks surely would have 

 destroyed this nest had they been fond of eggs. 



The writer has repeatedly known quails to nest and hatch out 

 broods within a few rods of a skunk den. A few eggs from one nest 

 were eaten by crows, but a large clutch was left to hatch. The truth 

 is that at the season when the native game birds are nesting skunks 

 have abundant insect food, and by the time this food fails the birds 

 are strong of wing and seldom fall a prey to this mammal. 



SKUNKS AND BEES. 



The destruction of yellow jackets and bumblebees by skunks has 

 often been noted. It is generally supposed that the juicy larvae of 

 these insects are most appreciated, but the adults also are eaten, and 

 probably the honey stored by the bumblebees. 



Complaints of the destruction of bees in their hives by skunks have 

 been recorded. The skunk approaches the apiary cautiously and 

 scratches on the outside of a hive until the bees rush from the entrance 

 to repel the intruder. The skunk shows much skill in capturing the 

 insects and in dislodging them from his long hair, where many cling. 

 He pays little attention to their stings. One or two visits to a hive 

 are said to suffice nearly to destroy the colony. The possibility of 

 skunks attacking an apiary may be entirely avoided by placing the 

 hives upon a high bench. 

 38780°— 14 2 



