ON ARTIFICIAL FOX-EARTHS 189 



to be observed in the walls, roof, or coDstruction of 

 the earth until we came to the " lie-by " in the crossbar 

 of the "A." Here we found that some of the heavy 

 stones that lined its walls had been picked out and 

 the cave then enlarged ; all the clay which had been 

 excavated having been thrust out into the passages 

 I have mentioned and packed away there. Only the 

 badger could have done this, and here were the remains 

 of the grass bedding which the old rascal had, as usual, 

 provided for himself. 



I do not think the badger had made a very long 

 sojourn in the covert, but, after having spoilt our 

 fox-earth, had soon taken his departure, and when 

 the rabbits increased in the covert they had also 

 found their way into the earth. Wonderful, indeed, 

 is the burrowing power of the badger, wonderful the 

 power of those short, muscular limbs, the strength and 

 sharpness of those formidable claws. 



Those who have watched the animal in captivity 

 know in what an incredibly short space of time he 

 can stow himself away underground if undisturbed ; 

 and I once had the opportunity of seeing the wild 

 animal at work on a moonlight night, or rather of 

 watching the fountain of sand that was thrown up 

 unceasingly, till the worker became aware of our 

 presence. It was one of the most uncanny sights I 

 ever witnessed, for the moon shone full upon the 

 sandy "bank in the middle of the black wood, and 

 the " geyser " of sand seemed to be propelled from 

 the bowels of the earth by some mysterious and 

 supernatural agency. 



It will be readily understood how safe from maraud- 



