The Skunk. 
()3 
is a bloodthirsty little creature, and so bold that it will 
attack animals much larger than itself. It is very 
destructive to poultry and game, and even pursues 
hares with success ; those animals, although so fleet of 
foot appearing to be so fascinated by the approach of 
their little enemy, that they do not betake themselves 
to flight, but hop slowly along, until the fangs of the 
destroyer are fixed in the throat of its victim, when all 
efforts to shake him off are unavailing. The Ermine is 
also one of the great enemies of the water-rat, which it 
will follow into the water. The dwelling-place of the 
Ermine is a narrow burrow, usually in the midst of a 
thicket, or furze-bush ; it sometimes takes up its abode 
in a rabbit burrow. In this country the female produces 
four or five young at a birth ; but in .North America 
the litter is said to consist of ten or twelve little ones. 
THE SKUNK, (Mustela, or Mephitis Americana,) 
Which is found in most parts of North America, is curi- 
ously marked with a pair of white stripes running 
