; 1900-1901.] Badgers. 149 
unusual attracts their attention. In a recent visit I tried 
to photograph them, but this was by no means easily accom- 
plished. Mr Paterson informed me that the operation would 
have been managed with less difficulty during the long 
summer days, but as the time for hibernation approaches 
they become restless, excited, come little out, and scarcely 
eat any food. In summer they eat a great quantity of food, 
but for four months in winter hardly any. Even if not 
dormant, they move little about, and are seldom seen during 
the winter. For many weeks I have known the earths 
_ stopped and covered with snow. At the same time, I have 
occasionally seen their footprints in snow, but not during a 
settled storm with hard frost. The period of gestation is 
from the beginning of July till near the end of February. 
| I have known four in a brood, and possibly there may be 
‘more; two and three are common. Last spring one pro- 
| duced her young on the same day of the month as she was 
herself born. When the young are born they are void of 
hair, and, like the weasel tribe, cannot see till six weeks 
old. It is the opinion of Mr Paterson, who has made 
badgers the study of his life, that in the heat of the 
‘mother the young lie dormant for some time, and weeks 
elapse before they suckle their dam. When they begin to 
move about they grow very rapidly, but do not breed 
the first year. 
 Icannot speak of the longevity of badgers, but doubtless 
will find out a good deal in this direction during the next 
few years, though it is always dangerous to rest any theory 
“upon an experiment which dissociates wild creatures from 
their natural environment. At this time of the year 
badgers are so fat that any person seeing them dissected 
would jump to the conclusion that they had been grossly 
over-fed. There is no doubt, however, that it is their 
normal condition at this season. At least I have always 
found them so, and I have skinned a considerable number. 
It is otherwise in the spring months, as when then skinned 
the fat had all disappeared. 
Badgers are becoming scarce, the traps of the rabbit-catcher 
being instrumental in reducing their number. It is gratifying 
to learn that some proprietors are now reintroducing them on 
VOL. IV. M 
