Flesh-Eating Land Mammals 



Once the Badger locates in a wood, its " earth " 

 clearly denotes its presence, and this unmistakable 

 sign at once leads to its discovery, and probably its 

 destruction. The steel trap is brought into use, and 

 the Badger's bulky figure latterly dangles on the 

 gamekeeper's gallows-tree. No quarter is given to the 

 creature ; no excuse tendered for its virtues. Its failings 

 are said to be that it is a most omnivorous feeder on 

 all sorts and conditions of life and vegetation. In the 

 spring-time it will suck the pheasant's eggs, and early 

 summer sees it on the prowl for the straying partridge. 

 It is said to pull down a newly born lamb and devour 

 it, or it will plunder any outlying hen-house of both 

 old and young fowls. When the grain is heavy in the 

 head, it tramps through the corn-lands and dines 

 sumptuously. These and similar accusations are 

 common in every country-side, but such charges 

 are open to question, and, indeed, may be put 

 down as in a great measure mere conjecture. As a 

 purloiner of the eggs of wild birds, the Badger may 

 at times be an offender, but the animal does not 

 habitually rob nests of their clutches. It, however, 

 dotes on young rabbits, and seldom hesitates to dig up 

 a nest of this rodent when such comes in its way. Yet 

 Badgers are by no means dainty feeders. They will 

 accept almost anything of an edible character, from 

 an insect to a bunny, a ripe strawberry to an apple. 

 The animal is credited with robbing the wild bee of its 

 honey, and is said to be impervious to the insect's stings. 



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