42 COMMON BRITISH ANIMALS 



whether he does really possess the qualities referred 

 to. Whereas a lady describes her pet badger as 

 " fat, round, jolly and good tempered," while others 

 personally acquainted with him have thoroughly 

 Avhite-washed him with regard to the offensive smell 

 which was supposed to be connected with him. We 

 must admit this sturdy, playful, harmless fellow has 

 been much maligned for the want of being better 

 known. His habits, however, do not tend to extend 

 his human acquaintance, for he lounges and sleeps 

 in his stronghold by day, going out at night only, 

 and very silently, to hunt. He must have been much 

 better known formerly than he is now, for his 

 ancient name ^' brock " enters into the names of 

 many towns, as Brockenhurst, Brockleby, Brockle- 

 liurst, Broxbourne, Brock-le-bank, Brockley, Brock- 

 ham Grreen, and many another. 



The badger's coat is earthy-grey on the back and 

 sides. The under parts of the body, neck, and legs 

 are black, and therefore darker than the back, which 

 is a very unusual arrangement of colour in animals, 

 but as the badger only goes out at night he casts no 

 shadow. Animals that move by day avoid casting 

 shadows by being white or light in colour beneath. 

 The head and neck of the badger is white, with a 

 broad band of black on each side, running from the 

 top of the nose through the eyes and ears to the 

 nape of the neck, leaving the tips of the ears white. 

 The tail is grey tipped with white. Brock is a 

 podgy, bear-like animal, with a short tail and short 

 legs. Like the bear he runs on the soles of his 

 feet, which are naked. He has long nails on the 



