Mr. J. E. Ilartbuj on Forest Animals. 93 



even young rabbits, are eaten by turn as opportunity 

 serves; and on one occasion a hedgehog was surprised 

 with a young leveret strugghng in its jaws.* Two that I 

 kept in confinement for some time were particularly fond 

 of frogs. 



In this propensity for flesh, the hedgehog resembles the 

 animals which I have next to notice — viz., the Carnivora — 

 distinguishable by their immensely powerful teeth (the 

 canines, or tusks, being largely developed), a loose skin, and 

 strong legs and feet, armed with hard sharp claws. 



Of this order we once had notable representatives in our 

 forests in the shape of the bear and the wolf, but these, 

 alas ! are no longer to be found here ; and the most 

 powerful survivors of this group of animals are the badger, 

 the wild cat, and the fox. 



The first-named is of special interest as being the sole 

 surviving representative of the bear-family in this country. 

 It is a plantigrade animal, walking upon the entire sole of 

 the foot, like a bear, instead of on the toes only, like a 

 cat. In its habits also and food it resembles the bear, living 

 in holes, laying up by day, and coming forth at night ; 

 and feeding on various roots, fungus, earth nuts, beech 

 mast, blackberries, dung-beetles and grasshoppers, snails 

 and worms, frogs and mice. Strange to say, the hedgehog 

 is a favourite morsel, and is easily killed by a badger, 

 notwithstanding its armour. In confinement the badger 

 has been known to devour rabbits greedily ; and a partially 

 devoured mole has been found in a nest of young badgers. f 

 I have never heard any accusation against the badger for 

 damaging young trees, nor do I believe that he would do 

 so, his diet being what I have stated. Nor do I believe that 

 there is any truth in the allegation that if badgers are 

 suffered to remain in a fox-covert they will drive the foxes 

 away. Wild animals, as a rule, live in harmony, especially 

 where (as in the case of fox and badger) neither preys on 

 the other. 



* Gardener's Chronicle, 1846, p, 480. 

 f The Field, IMarch 23rd. 1872. 



