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Skunk — Part 3
Images coming soon.
With each recurring evening the devoted little band starts out on its nightly hunt, chasing dor-bugs and other night flying beetles, blundering along in the darkness. In the utter blackness which exists beneath the undergrowth in the forest they go searching for the nests of thrushes and ground-building warblers and partridges.
The discovering of the partridge nest means a banquet for the entire family--two big eggs apiece at least, and perhaps the unfortunate hen partridge herself to be divided among them; for it is quite possible that a partridge, driven from her nest in the night in trying to avoid the one that first started her, might fall into the clutches of one of the others, especially if she tried to draw off the enemy by pretending a broken wing.
If birds' nests are not always to be had, there are families of young rabbits in every thicket, helpless and practically unprotected, for if the old rabbit were to attempt to act on the defensive, which is hardly likely, she would simply be accepted by the skunks as a welcome addition to the meal. There are also the nests of the wood mice and shrews to be dug out from beneath the old stumps and logs, and among the sodden leaves and decaying wood in the damp hollows are abundant snails and other crawling things to fill in any vacancy when better things are not forthcoming.
The skunk is one of the most likable little beasts in the woods, being most intelligent and good natured, and without the wildness of most of our native animals. Except on rare occasions it is perfectly free from any unpleasant odour whatever, and is at all times exceedingly neat and particular in its personal habits. It is easily tamed and makes a safe and amusing pet.
Varieties of Skunks
Eastern Skunk. Mephitis putida (Cuv.). Description and range as above.
Canada Skunk. Mephitis mephitica (Shaw). Larger, with shorter and more slender tail (equal to half the length of body), pattern more constant, the white stripes varying little in length or width.
Florida Skunk. Mephitis elongata (Bangs). Medium in size, tail very long (longer than the body), white stripes very broad.
Louisiana Skunk. Mephitis mesomelas (Licht). Size very small (14 inches long), tail very short, usually wholly black.
Illinois Skunk. Mephitis mesomelas avia (Bangs). Similar to the last, but larger.