676 THE CARNIVORES 



probably also this species which inhabits Syria; but it is at present uncertain where 

 the range of the common badger in Western Asia terminates, and where that of the 

 smaller and paler colored Persian badger (M. canescens) of Eastern Persia com- 

 mences. In China and other parts of continental Asia the group is represented by 

 the white-tailed badger (M. leucurus) and the Chinese badger (M. chinensis} ; while 

 a fifth species (M. anacuma) inhabits Japan. 



On the continent of Europe, especially in many parts of Germany 

 (where it is known as dachs], the badger is very common, and does 

 much damage to the vineyards. In the British Islands, as we may judge both from 

 the frequency with which its remains are met with in the cavern and other superficial 

 deposits, as well as from the number of places in England, such as Brockenhurst and 

 Brockley, which derive their names from this animal, the badger must once have been 

 very commonly distributed. At the present day, writes Mr. J. E. Harting, " many 

 people seem to be under the impression that the badger, if not actually extinct in 

 the British Islands, is at all events a very scarce animal. This is far from being the 

 case. In many parts of the country the badger is still not at all uncommon, and in 

 certain districts which might be named it is even on the increase, owing to the pro- 

 tection afforded it. The reason for its supposed scarcity arises from two causes, 

 firstly, the nature of its haunts, which are generally in the deep recesses of large 

 woods, fox-covers, and quarries; and, secondly, the nature of its habits, which are 

 shy and retiring, and chiefly nocturnal." 



The favorite haunts of the badger are the deepest and thickest woods, or coppice- 

 clad cliffs and quarries; and in such situations it digs a large and roomy bur- 

 row. Here it sleeps during the day, issuing forth at evening in search of food, and 

 sometimes joining with its fellows in this quest; Mr. Harting having observed three 

 badgers together in Gloucestershire, while the late Mr. C. St. John on one occasion 

 saw no less than seven in company on the shore of L,och Ness. In the colder por- 

 tions of its habitat the badger hibernates during the winter, the length of the 

 hibernation depending upon the latitude and the degree of severity of the season. 

 In England the hibernation appears to be always interrupted. Mr. Ellis, of L,ough- 

 borough, who has a number of badgers on his estate, recently wrote that he has 

 known one of the burrows covered with snow for a fortnight or more, during which 

 time the animals remain below, and only ventured out \vhen a thaw came. In 

 Sweden it is stated that badgers generally retire about the middle of November, and 

 do not reappear till the middle of the following March, unless there should be a 

 protracted thaw, during which they will sally forth in search of food. In order to 

 afford additional security, the mouth of the burrow is blocked from the inside by its 

 occupant. The burrow is always kept scrupulously clean, and is lined with fern 

 and other vegetable substances; and Mr. Ellis states that "as the winter ap- 

 proaches, the old bedding is replaced by dry fern and grass raked together by the 

 badger's powerful claws. This is often left to wither in little heaps till dry enough 

 for the purpose. Partially concealed, I have watched a badger gathering fern, and 

 using a force in its collection quite surprising. ' ' 



The peculiar conformation of the upper molar teeth of the badger at once pro- 

 claims that the diet of the animal is by no means exclusively carnivorous; and Pro- 



