v THE BADGER AND HIS KIN 153 



The following extracts from an account of a 

 tame badger printed by the Youth's Companion, in 

 1896, contain interesting facts. He had not yet 

 opened his eyes when captured, and was brought 

 up on a nursing-bottle. He thrived, and soon 

 became a mischievous pet, constantly under foot. 

 His voice was that of a very young crying baby, 

 but much more noisy; and in extreme anger he 

 would squeal like a pig. When a terrier, whom he 

 was constantly teasing, turned on him, he would 

 tuck his head between his feet and roll himself 

 into a compact furry ball with which the dog could 

 do nothing ; but he had not the patience to main 

 tain this attitude of defence very long. He ran 

 almost as well backward as forward, but liked 

 better to reach his destination by rolling over and 

 over instead of walking. As he grew larger, a fa- 

 vorite trick was to open the door of the stove and 

 rake out coals and ashes upon the floor. Although 

 quick to resent any harm (and the grandmother was 

 the only one of the family that dared punish him 

 before her he was meek), he seemed never to bear 

 resentment or be treacherous, and was well dis- 

 posed toward strangers. He became fond of 

 chasing the chickens, and would make havoc 

 among the poultry unless prevented. 



"Badge," his master records, "is a model house- 

 keeper in his way. He is very fond of cherries, 

 nibbling the food daintily and rejecting the pit. 

 When he has finished eating the cherries he care- 



