HUNTING THE BADGER. 33 



tnmhlmg till he is tak-.-n. These sacks being thus set, cast ofl 

 the hounds, and beating about all the woods, coppices, hedges, 

 and tufts, round about, for the compass of a mile or two ; and 

 such badgers as are abroad, being alarmed by the hounds, will 

 jjoon betake themselves to their burrows. 



He who is placed to watch the sacks, must stand close, and .upon 

 a clear wind ; otherwise, the badger will discover him, and wilJ 

 immediately fly some other way into his burrow. But if the 

 Hounds can encounter him, before he can take his sanctuary, he 

 will then stand at bay like a boar, and make good sport, griev- 

 ously biting and clawing the dogs, for the manner of their fight- 

 ing is lying on their backs, using both teeth and nails ; and by 

 blowing up their skins, defend themselves against all bites of the 

 dogs, and blows of the men upon their noses. For the preserva- 

 tion of the dogs, put broad collars about their necks, made of grey 

 tkins. 



When the badger perceives the terriers begin to yearn him in 

 lis burrow, he will stop the hole betwixt him and the terriers, and 

 if they still continue baying, he will remove his couch into another 

 chamber, or part of the burrow, and so from one to another, barri- 

 cading the way before them, as they retreat, until they can go no. 

 further. If you intend to dig the badger out of his burrow, you 

 must be provided with the same tools as for digging out a fox ; 

 and should have a pail of water to refresh the terriers, when they 

 come out of the earth to take breath and cool themselves. It will 

 also be necessary to put collars with bells, about the necks of the 

 .erriers, which, making a noise, may cause the badger to bolt out. 

 The tools used for digging out the badger being troublesome to 

 be carried en men's backs, may be brought in a cart. 



In digging, consider the situation of the ground, by which you 

 may judge where the chief angles are ; for else, instead of advanc- 

 ing the work, you will hinder it. In this order you may besiege 

 them in their holes, and work to them with mines and counter- 

 mines until you have overcome them. Having taken a live 

 badger, if you would make sport, carry him home in a sack, and 



turn him out in your court-yard, or some other inclosed place 

 o 



