The daily morning journal and courier., 1903-08-01
A DEN OF YOUNG 3SKUNKs.

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 It is amusing to notice how the skunk is lodged by most of our young nature students. They are in the habit of re- ferring to him in a familiar way as Sir Mephitis," but, as for any close study of his private affairs. they prefer to leave that for some one with less dis erection. We'll, my own experience has been that except when it is wounded or very badly frightened, there are many more disagreeable animals to study than the common American skunk. To be sure, when he does undertake to be nasty, he can humiliate an enemy to the last degree; but as rule such humiIia- tion is deserved. Young skunks are often rash, I admit, and go around with a chip on their shoulders, so to speak; but an old skunk, though fully conscious of it's power, seldom deliberately wastes it's ammunition. Of all the skunks 1 have had personal dealings with, havs
 never known one to fire without provo
 cation. I thought I had met with an exception on one occasion, but on ex- animation found that the skunk had a
 forefoot cut off in a trap and was dying of blood-poisoning, cause enough, in my opinion, for any hostile act.
 In the early part of last May, called at skunk burrow where was pretty well known, and as I fatter myself, pretty we'll liked, since I was in the habit of carrying around dainties in the way of raw beef or a chicken now and then. when I wished! to coax the in- mates within range of a camera hidden in the bushes nearby. On this occasion I fairly held my breath with delight, when. beheld. just inside the burrow, several baby skunks, two or. three days old, tugging away at their mother, who lay on her side that they might have every opportunity. Whether she was dozing, or whether she was regarding her infants with maternal admiration, I do not know. for her head was hidden in the darkness, but her tail was in full view, and as I came nearer I saw it raised slowly~over her back with a sort of 'clear the decks for action" move ment, which was very impressive, since was well within range of the guns. For be it known to any who know it not already, that a skunk's tail, so far from being used as means of flinging the de- fensive fluid, is always held carefully, uo. out of the way when the animal goes into action. The fluid itself which is secreted by two glands about the size of hickory-nuts, one on each side oe the tail, is expelled in two fine streams through two nipples, with which the glands are provided. I saw that any sudden movement on my part might be misunderstood by the anxious mother, and as I was particularly anxious to avoid any misunderstanding in this case, I sat quietly down and waited. Gradually the expressive tail was lowered. and I began to speak in my most soothing tones. knew that the animal would recognize the sound of my voice. and hoped that this would rid her of any fear she might have at my approach. My hopes were justified, for in a few minutes I was kneeling at the mouth of the burrow, and the mother skunk, who had raised her head as though to make sure there was no mistake. shifted at me over her shoul- der with seeming indifference. Then she laid her head down again, and I made so bold as to touch her fur with my hand. In an instant the tail flew upward, and I felt that the supreme moment had come. It was too late eith- CT to draw back or to dodge, and the question whether I was to remain, an honored guest, or retire in discomfort