Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury [Connecticut]) 1903-1917, 1903-08-17

d II
MADAM SKUNK AND HER FAMILY GREW
VERY FRIENQLY.
not know, for her head was hidden in
the darkness, but her tail was in full
view, and as I came nearer / saw it
raised slowly over her back with sort
of sEclear the decks for action" move
ment, which was very impressive, since
I 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 f1inging the de-
fensiye fluid, is always held carefully
up, 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 of 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 was particularly anxious to
avoid any misunderstanding in this
case, I sat quietly down and waited.
Gradually the expressive tail was low
cred, and began to speak in my most
soothing tones. I knew that the ami
NAL 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 few minutes was kneefing at the
mouth of the burrow, and the mother
skunk who had raised her head as
though to make sure there was no mis-
take, shifted at me over her shoulder
with seeming Indifference. Then she
laid her head down again, and | made
SO bold as, to touch her fur with my
hand. In an instant the tail flew up
ward, and felt that the supreme mo-
ment had come. -
''Hello, old lady, said, in the tone
she had always heard me use, and at the
same time / stroked her fur very gently.
The effect was reassuring. Very slow
" the tail was lowered to the ground,
and as I continued to stroke the fur,
the animal stretched herself with an I'M
mistakable air of contentment. Now
for the next step. Gently 1 worked my
hand forward, until could grasp one
of the babies, and gently loosened his
hold on his mother, and drew him from
the burrow. Carefully arose to my
feet, and once clear of the mouth OF the
burrow, I set off home, at rather i'm
moderate pace, to photograph theinfant
skunk, and to make notes on him at my:
leisure. NIL.
Within an hour returned to the bur-
row, and by this time the little skunk
was hungry and giving vent to strange,
rather shril1, vibratory squeaks. I had
no desire to tempt Providence again so
soon, so 1 set the little fellow on the
ground near the den and retiring to a
respectful distance, awaited develop
ments. The cries of the baby increased
when he found himself on the cold
ground, and in a moment the weasel
like head of the mother appeared at
the entrace of the burrow., She shifted
right and left, and then came out to
look for the crying infant. She soon saw
him, and, advancing, with her peculiar
waddling gait, picked him up by the
skin of his neck with her teeth, and
backed into the burrow with him.
The next time l visited the den, I
found the little family much further
from the opening, and it was with some
difficulty that succeeded in getting hold
of one of the children. When 1 did get
one out, I placed him at same distance
from the entrance, and, instead of going
away, remained near the hole until
the mother came forth to find him. Then
was my opportunity, and, putting in my
hand, / brought out the rest of the babies,
five in all, and while the mother was
busy with them I quickly blocked the
far end of the hole with stones. Had
not done this, the old skunk might have
spoiled all future chance for observation
by carrying the little ones far back out of
reach. AS it was, visited the family daily
for weeks, photographing the little ones
at all stages of their development, and
making. notes which I hope to publish
in a future article of this series. The
mother became more and more easy: to
approach, and before the end of a fort
night she would allow me to pat her and
scratch her head. 20 .-s.r
I1AD0T n pAvhrESs