Page:Babyhood of Wild Beasts.djvu/128

104 for frogs, toads and serpents, with his pig-like snout sniffing cautiously he roots up snake and turtle eggs, which are a great luxury to him. He is ever on the look-out for wood mice and the eggs of birds that nest on the ground.

The babies are from six to ten in number and live in and around the burrow until the following spring. They appear to be full-grown at this time and make homes for themselves. When taken early, baby Skunks make fine pets. The Indians discovered that. So also has Dr. Merriam, who says, "They are cleanly, attractive, gentle, playful and affectionate." He writes: "These Skunks would climb up my legs and get into my arms. They liked to be caressed and never offered to bite."

Of his pet skunk "Meph" he writes: "After supper I commonly took a walk. Meph always followed close to my heels. If I chanced to walk too fast, he would scold and stamp his fore-feet; and if I persisted in keeping too far ahead, would turn about disgusted and make off in another direction. But if I stopped and called him, he would hurry along at an ambling pace and soon