498 
THE STORY OF THE SKUNK. 
variable than in the common skunk, but in general the two white stripes on 
the back are very wide. The tail is either pure white or black and white. 
The range of this species extends northwards from Patagonia and Chili 
through Central America to Texas. 
The habits of all the species of skunks are very similar. 
Skunks are good climbers, but appear to prefer clearings and open glades 
rather than dense forests, and they may be frequently found in the neigh¬ 
borhood of human dwellings, although in Patagonia and the Argentine 
pampas they inhabit perfectly open country. In common with other mem¬ 
bers of the family they are largely night animals, but may be met with 
walking abroad in the evenings in North America, while in Patagonia the 
white-backed species, conscious of its power, roams by day about the open 
plains, and fears neither dog nor man. 
This indifference to the presence of other creatures is, indeed, one of the 
most striking characteristics of the skunk, and is doubtless due to the 
immunity of attack which these creatures possess, owing to their nauseous 
secretion. In Nicaragua the skunk goes leisurely along at night, holding 
up his white tail as a danger-signal for none to come within range of his 
nauseous artillery. So indifferent is the common skunk to the presence of 
man that in many parts of the United States these creatures are not unfre- 
quently run over in the evenings on the roads by passing vehicles. The 
peculiar and conspicuous coloration, of the skunks is generally regarded by 
naturalists as belonging to the class of so-called “warning colors.” Such 
warning colors would seem to benefit the would-be enemies rather than 
the conspicuous forms themselves. But the conspicuous animal is greatly 
benefited by its warning colors. If it resembled its surroundings, like the 
members of the other class, it would be liable to a great deal of accidental 
or experimental tasting and there would be nothing about it to impress 
the memory of an enemy and thus to prevent the continual destruction of 
individuals. The object of warning colors is to assist the education of 
enemies, enabling them to easily learn and remember the animals which are 
to be avoided. 
In the Adirondack region the chief food of the common, skunk consists 
of mice, salamanders, frogs, and the eggs of birds that nest on, or near the 
ground, while such hens’ nests as are met with are sure *to be robbed, and 
an occasional raid is made on the poultry-yard. A large number of beetles* 
grasshoppers, and other insects is likewise consumed by these animals. 
