THE BADGER 



habitation, amongst the whin bushes, or in 

 the woods near a stream or small runner of 

 water. Such a "set," if long established, 

 will penetrate through earth, clay, and sub- 

 soil, to some stratum of shale, or sand, or 

 loose rock. Some of the galleries and 

 chambers will be at a great distance from 

 the surface, and some at an enormous depth. 

 When a new earth is made I have always 

 found the badger appropriate the holes of 

 rabbits, and proceed to excavate, enlarge, 

 and open them out. This operation of open- 

 ing a new earth takes place constantly in 

 the spring-time, great masses of material be- 

 ing thrown out ; but as often as not the new 

 house is abandoned before completed, and the 

 subsequent labours of the family are devoted 

 to repairing, enlarging, and making new 

 front or back doors to the old place. In 

 Cornwall I once tried my hand with my 

 brother, some strong Cornishmen, and a 

 team of terriers, at a very innocent-looking 

 badger " set " situated in a level field. There 

 were but three holes, and these not very far 

 apart. The farmer told us that there had 

 45 



